Space Jump

SPACE JUMP “LIVE”




Written by Rick A. Talford

NASA Enthusiast



ROSWELL, NEW MEXICO - The “Red Bull Stratos” capsule and balloon were put together and ready to take flight for a World Record attempt. A Sky-Dive from near 120K feet above the Earth. European Sky Diver Felix Baumgartner used a capsule and helium balloon, to go 23 miles above the Earth. The attempt was scheduled for October 8, 2012, but weather knocked down the helium balloon during the filling process. The damage was enough that they needed to replace the balloon. With the balloon replaced, the attempt began the morning of October 13, 2012. Baumgartner’s parents came from Austria to America to watch the event. “Mission to the Edge of Space”, was written on the side of the capsule.



The previous record holder, Joe Kittinger was among the many people assisting with this attempt. He was in direct communications with Felix throughout everything. Kittinger set the record back in 1960, when he traveled 18 miles (102,800 ft) above the Earth, and free-fell for four minutes and thirty-eight seconds. He reached the speed of 614 mph.



Baumgartner is expected to break the sound barrier when he makes his jump. Within the first thirty seconds of the jump, he will be at his fastest decent. Another aspect of the event, is the fact that the temperature at 52K feet was -91.8 degrees below zero Fahrenheit.



The balloon is the largest ever used for a human, to take them aloft. One hour into the event, the balloon reached a height of 62K feet. The Temperature was -86 degrees Fahrenheit. At this height, it is called the Armstrong Line. A line at which the bodies fluids would boil, if not protected by the capsule or suit worn by the jumper. The pressure inside the capsule is 7.95 psi, while the pressure outside is 0.51 psi. To compare this, would be that the pressure at sea level on Earth is 14.7 psi.



Baumgartner made two earlier jumps from 71K feet in March, where he hit speeds of 365 miles per hour in his free-fall. He made a second jump in July from 97K feet. This is 18.5 miles above the Earth.



At one hour and thirty-two minutes, he was at 86K feet. The temperature inside the capsule is 51 degrees, and outside is -48 degrees Fahrenheit. The capsule slowed to only 14 mph. Some concerns were beginning at this time, due to the helmet heater was not working properly. Baumgartner stated that he was seeing his breath inside the helmet, on the faceplate.



At one hour and forty minutes, the balloon was only rising at 6 mph. Once the balloon reached near 70K feet, you could see the curvature of the planet more clearly. They are targeting 120K feet for the jump.

As the balloon reached 110K feet, the shape changed from a teardrop, to more a perfect ball shape. At the two hour point, the balloon had reached 111, 903 feet.



The highest man-balloon flight was in 1960, when two men rose to 21.5 miles above Earth, and then came back to Earth inside the unit. They did not jump, as Baumgartner was going to do. Unfortunately, one man died when they were being picked up by helicopter rescue. His equipment failed, sending him back into the waters, where he drowned. The Record for the highest man-balloon flight was accomplished by the US Navy in 1961. Victor Prather and Malcolm Ross were the pilots of the flight.



This Record was broke shortly after the two hour mark. Preparation for the jump was beginning for Baumgartner at this point. At 120K feet, the temperature was one degree above zero Fahrenheit. The pressure inside was 8.01 psi, and outside was .01 psi. Two hours and sixteen minutes, the balloon had reached 127K. The problem with the heat in Baumgartner’s faceplate was corrected.



The height reached 127,250 feet when it started to slow considerably. This was at the two hour and twenty minute mark. The maximum height reached 128,100 feet. The Temperature was 11.9 degrees, with the air pressure outside at .07 psi., and inside 7.35 psi. The balloon appeared to be at maximum containment also. It was expanded to a full circle.



The final checks were ran through at near the two hour and thirty minute mark. (2:33.40) the door opened and Felix began the jump set-up. He jumped at approx. two hours and forty minutes. Baumgartner landed safely on the ground after reaching 128K feet. His free fall was four minute and twenty-two seconds. He reached a speed of 729 mph. The records that he was attempting to break, will all need time for confirmation. He did clearly break the highest jump by man at over twenty-four miles above Earth. He fell just 17 seconds short of the free-fall record that Kittinger set. Breaking Mach1 will need to be calculated, but he is very close.



You can get more information by going to www.redbullrecords.com.



Note- In the time it takes to watch a football game, a man and his ship went more than 24 miles above the Earth, and he then parachuted back to Earth safely. Very Cool in this viewers eyes.