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

I'm anxious to see the BBC docu that's being put together.

Gary did you see this?

A BBC/National Geographic documentary is being made about the project. This will probably air first in the UK and in the US in November, and in other territories sometime soon after.

Source, near the bottom: BBC News - Skydiver Felix Baumgartner breaks sound barrier

Yessir I did, you had a link somehwere else. That's where so many unappreciative and disparaging comments are.

tommy said:

Another waste of funds. I personally would love to jump out of a balloon if it means a cure for a deadly disease or to raise money for a charity. What this did was boost an ego and cost more than 4m, which was raised by advertising. This guy is no hero. A nurse, now that's a hero.

Crap! I gegistered on the BBC site to post a comment and they are closed.

Somewhere else is the middle of post #56 (There is a very good read here:): Felix Baumgartner's Jump into the History Book...
I'll usually re-post a link so the reader doesn't have to jump around in a thread.



You shouldn't worry yourself over negative comments that come from people like that.

“Moral indignation is the technique used to endow the idiot with dignity”.
Herbert Marshall McLuhan (July 21, 1911 – December 31, 1980)

My take on that is "they" fail to see the bigger picture, and I ignore comments like that.
"If I only had a nickel every time I stopped myself from a rebuttal....."

Still, one has to take into consideration "what may have triggered this reaction from the commenter?
On the face of it, being a Nurse is a nobler profession than being a base jumper and my presumption would be that the commenter may have had an event in his or her life where a nurse made a significant impact on their life.


Let me continue.....
The immediate value is to the aerospace industry and general aviation.

The long term value will come when all of the scientific data that was generated and recorded is put to use for the general public.

Just some examples:
The balloon is a standard design of polyethylene (plastic) film, but was larger than any other made, this should help in new construction techniques with plastic materials.
Stop and think, how many times do I use something made of "plastic" in my daily routine?

The capsule had to be specially constructed for this flight. The "crush pads" at the base of the capsule that protect it when it lands were of a special design.
I can see the potential in that for the auto industry.

The suit Felix was wearing was of special construction. I can see the potential in that for fire fighters, hazmat teams, the medical industry, and health care.

Those were some beautiful pictures from the camera's that recorded the jump.
Where does anyone think High Definition television came from?
High altitude photography, videography. This jump should continue to improve those techniques.

The backup safety systems, again uses for Fire fighters, hazmat teams, the medical industry, and health care.

I could go on, but the possibilities to further the human species are endless. It is up to the individual to either enhance his or her life, or continue to live in a box.

I didn't see much fanfare about the NatGeo special on the jump and I missed most of the airing last night, but there is another showing at 9pm EST Friday the 16th.

Space Dive | National Geographic Channel

I did catch the part explaining the communications blackout that happened during the discussion about Felix's visor heater and whether or not he would be able to see the horizon during the decent. If I remember correctly it was in the last half hour of the showing.

I could sense Felix's struggle with his claustrophobia and decision to continue on.

Thanks Steve, I didn't see anything about it. As it turns out though I was watching the NASCAR Cup race last night. I'll catch the replay, noted on my calendar.
Watching the previews I see a half sphere shaped, shiny thing that looks like Felix's helmet but I can't see how it could be.

Your welcome Gary.

That was the reason I almost missed it, NASCAR and football.

It is dis-orienting, but indeed, it is his helmet.

While watching the show, listen to Joe's conversation with Felix during the pre-jump check-list after the hatch opens.
One of the first things Joe asks Felix to do is to turn on the chest mounted camera's.

PRESSURE SUIT

• Three small high-definition video cameras: one on each thigh and one on Felix's chest pack

Source: Cameras & Communications | Red Bull Stratos

Here you can see it better and also shots from his leg cams:
Felix's POV | Red Bull Stratos