Felix Baumgartner's Jump into the History Book...

That's fasr all right. I never know I'm going "that fast" until I see the red and blue flashing lights, lol.

Watched this live last night/this morning. I had no idea it was going to being as long as it was, but at least I can say I saw it live.

Like most, including Felix is too I'm sure would have been a little disappointed that he missed the longest free fall record, but considering the speed he was travelling, it's not that surprising.


The man has balls, that's for sure. It's not something's you see everyday

Well, should I jump or not? Might as well.
What a view huh?

How fantastic is this. If this is a stunt so is climbing Mt Everest.

Gary we were wondering what Felix would be thinking:

“Trust me, when you stand up there on top of the world, you become so humble. It’s not about breaking records any more. It’s not about getting scientific data. It’s all about coming home.”

Source: Felix Baumgartner’s Record Breaking: What He Did (and Didn’t) Accomplish | NewsFeed | TIME.com

It was a part of a planned series of three jumps designed to break three FAI World Records:
- Exit Altitude
- Vertical Distance of Freefall (without drogue or stabilization device)
- Maximum Vertical Speed (without drogue or stabilization device) The FAI congratulates Felix Baumgartner on his great achievement.

Source: Baumgartner breaks the Maximum Vertical Speed World Record |FAI

Felix Baumgartner's preliminary World Records claim received | FAI

There is a very good read here: BBC News - Skydiver Felix Baumgartner breaks sound barrier

And Gary, to answer your earlier question:

Britton30 said:

Do you see any irony that this project is based in Roswell NM?

Yes I can with the space, and Area 51 angle, but for prep, launch, and recovery it was the best location considering the weather, and population centers.

At one point the ascent the team calculated that Felix would make Dallas before his jump. But, with later readings he was only about 42miles east from where he took off (Roswell airport)


Coincidentally, Baumgartner's feat also marked the 65th anniversary of U.S. test pilot Chuck Yeager successful attempt to become the first man to officially break the sound barrier aboard an airplane.

Take a capsule under a balloon to the edge of space. Step out onto a small foothold in your spacesuit. Jump into nothingness and hurtle at over 700 miles an hour towards the earth. Open a parachute and make a light, upright landing 4 minutes later. What's the big deal? I'd have loved to have seen his heart rate during the whole thing. A Guy

I think the world was ready for a new real hero of this type. Apparently Many of the British commenters on the BBC site have no grasp of what they accomplished.
There used to be a lot of flack on how much the US spent on the space program. Due to the trickle-down tech those same nay-sayers now enjoy, cell phones, micro waves, GPS devices, PCs, and so much more.

A Guy:

BBC News - How did Felix Baumgartner's heart cope in record jump?
0:11 Mention of heart rate 60beats per minute (bpm), breathing 12 to 14bpm.
0:55 Start of freefall 160 to 180bpm.
1:18 To end, finish video explaining telemetry equipment.

So he was well within the range for a man of his age and condition.

My resting bpm is 80.







YouTube video collection of Baumgartner's high altitude jump

Finally found the song redbull played at the end of the Discovery Channel broadcast performed by Scottish band Twin Atlantic:

Twin Atlantic - Free (The Stratos Spaced Out Remix)