On the day that Felix Baumgartner’s jump from an altitude of 128,097 feet succeeded. The Austrian skydiver lands safely near Roswell, New Mexico after a 4:19 – minute free fall reaching an unofficial speed of 1137 km/h. Felix’s words as he exited the capsule: ”I know the whole world is watching and I wish they […]
65th Anniversary of Chuck Yeager, the first man to break the sound barrier flying in an experimental rocket-powered airplane
October 14, 2012 by 5 Comments
Felix Baumgartner has lifted off to attempt to break both the sound barrier in freefall and a 52-year-old record for highest-altitude jump after Tuesday’s aborted attempt. Baumgartner gets a new chance to jump from 36,576 meters today. The weather outlook is promising for another try at a leap, this time on a date that is […]
Red Bull Stratos: The Largest Manned Balloon Ever
October 14, 2012 by Leave a Comment
What is Felix Baumgartner’s balloon made of? The balloon is constructed of nearly transparent polyethylene (plastic) strips about the same thickness as a dry cleaning bag, which are heat-sealed together. Why use such a delicate material? A very large balloon is needed to carry the Red Bull Stratos capsule (which weighs nearly 3,000 lbs / 1.360 kg) […]
Red Bull Stratos with Felix Baumgartner – Mission ABORTED
October 10, 2012 by 3 Comments
Felix Baumgartner’s attempt to jump out a space capsule from the edge of space had to be aborted at the last minute (11.42hrs MDT local time) due to wind gusts that made it impossible to safely inflate the 30 million cubic feet / 834,497 cubic meters balloon for the launch. Baumgartner and the Red Bull […]
Red Bull Stratos Unveils Capsule for Felix Baumgartner
October 9, 2012 by 3 Comments
The Red Bull Stratos science team has confirmed that the capsule delivering Austrian sportsman Felix Baumgartner to the edge of space for his record-breaking freefall attempt is mission ready. Attached to a helium balloon, the capsule – which took five years to develop and weighs 2,900 pounds fully loaded – will act as Baumgartner’s life […]
Inflating & Deflating the Balloon for Red Bull Stratos Mission to the Edge of Space
October 9, 2012 by Leave a Comment
Ideal weather conditions are essential for the launch because of the delicate process of laying out and pumping helium into the 55-storey high balloon that will carry Felix Baumgartner and his over 1,300-kg space capsule to the stratosphere. The balloon, the largest ever used made for manned flight, was constructed out of strips of high-performance […]
Other Attempts at High-Altitude Balloon Records
October 9, 2012 by 4 Comments
ATTEMPTS AT HIGH-ALTITUDE BALLOON RECORDS AFTER EXCELSIOR III – the successful attempt by Col. Joseph Kittinger for the longest parachute drogue fall and the fastest speed by a human through the atmosphere, all of which still stand unless Felix Baumgartner is successful in his mission. 1961: Lt. Commander Victor Prather and Commander Malcolm Ross ascend with a balloon to 113,740 feet / 34,668 […]
Felix Baumgartner’s Last 24 Hours Before Red Bull Stratos Launch
October 9, 2012 by 14 Comments
UPDATE/Spoiler Alert – he did it! Felix Baumgartner will attempt to break the sound barrier in freefall on Sunday 14th October with a jump out of a space capsule from 120,000 feet / 36,576 meters. He has prepared for this over five long years – but intense anticipation may make the last 24 hours before […]
Red Bull Stratos Mission To The Edge of Space with Felix Baumgartner
October 8, 2012 by 11 Comments
Monday 8th October 2012, ROSWELL, New Mexico (USA): Together with a team of aerospace experts, Austrian extreme athlete Felix Baumgartner is ready to rise to the challenge of the Mission Red Bull Stratos. His aim is to jump from an altitude of 36,576 meters (120,000 feet) and perform a record-breaking freefall. After testing in an elaborate altitude (vacuum) […]
