46 replies to this topic

[joc]

The New Richard Nixon, on 15 October 2012 - 07:40 AM, said:

Think Balloon pops at 130,000

Not necessarily at 130,000 feet, but when the balloon rises as far as it can, and the helium expands beyond the capability of the balloon to contain it....burst!  
I was very concerned about that, even though the capsule had a parachute...crash landing in the desert would not be good.

That being said though, I would think it might be possible to use a much larger balloon...but then again...you know, that one was 700 feet tall and it seemed like the real challenge was getting it off with no wind at that height.  So, a balloon of say, 900 feet, would be much more difficult.  No, I think that Felix's record will never be broken.  Why even try?   The next challenge will be freefalling from...outer space...without burning up.   (Think Iron Man)

[HawkLord]

I watched this live and it was riveting, its only a shame he didn't get the record for longest freefall

[Alex01]

Likely Guy, on 15 October 2012 - 03:15 AM, said:

I don't have a TV either, "You are not alone."

According to my brother, who watched it live, Felix Baumgartner only had about 2,500 jumps, which is not a lot in the 'jumping world'. My brother has about 1,700 and has probably trained about the same number of people 'how to jump'. Felix's relative lack of experience, is what truly amazes my brother.

He told me that for a brief period when Felix went into a horizontal spin (way better than a vertical spin) he felt his blood turn 'icy'. Felix, of course recovered from that and said to his ground crew, after they started trying to contact him, "**** off, I'm a bit busy now" or "**** off, I'm a bit dizzy now". Either would have been appropriate.

What amazed him was that their was no drogue or pilot chute involved (to slow down and stabilize him). I'm curious as to what his speed was when he pulled his chute.

He went into a vertical spin for a few seconds though, right about at the end of the tumbling session. It was brief though, thankfully. What a pro, at those speeds, that's not easy. Gosh.

[praetorian-legio XIII]

I watched it live and the highest speed he was clocked at was 738 , how did he get up to 834 reported a few hours later? Also, even at 128K(+)ft. there was a crystal clear shot of the ballon from below, so why was the video of his initial fall so grainy and out of focus? And why didn't they show any video from the cameras mounted on him?

Edited by praetorian-legio XIII, 15 October 2012 - 04:05 PM.

[Rut Roh]

praetorian-legio XIII, on 15 October 2012 - 04:05 PM, said:

I watched it live and the highest speed he was clocked at was 738 , how did he get up to 834 reported a few hours later? Also, even at 128K(+)ft. there was a crystal clear shot of the ballon from below, so why was the video of his initial fall so grainy and out of focus? And why didn't they show any video from the cameras mounted on him?

I remember seeing "estimated speed" when they were showing it live.  I could be mistaken, but I believe that is why there is a difference.

[P4UL N0153]

praetorian-legio XIII, on 15 October 2012 - 04:05 PM, said:

I watched it live and the highest speed he was clocked at was 738 , how did he get up to 834 reported a few hours later? Also, even at 128K(+)ft. there was a crystal clear shot of the ballon from below, so why was the video of his initial fall so grainy and out of focus? And why didn't they show any video from the cameras mounted on him?

The cameras mounted on him were not live streaming. They were recording, but not able to transmit. BBC/NG are compiling the footage for a film that will be released in November, I think. Also, the grainy footage was shot in Infra Red, so the image will be distorted by motion and his changing temperature in freefall.


ETA: Corrected spelling

Edited by Maestro, 15 October 2012 - 05:53 PM.

[New World Within]

WOW! HE LIVED! Amazing!

[Bling]

I notice he say's he's never jumping again, so maybe he didn't enjoy it....it must have been terrifying. My heart does a flip flop when I fall off the kerb.

[DONTEATUS]

Some day we will have people jump from orbit to the ground ! JMO.

[LucidElement]

I couldn't even fathom free falling like that. I always thought it may be fun, but I think id pass out lol.. But those camera shots are awesome!

[DONTEATUS]

It was a great leap of faith into new ideas and a New Way to look at ourselfs ! I would do it in a heart beat !

[Zaphod222]

Very very cool.

[Alex01]

Bling, on 15 October 2012 - 07:37 PM, said:

I notice he say's he's never jumping again, so maybe he didn't enjoy it....it must have been terrifying. My heart does a flip flop when I fall off the kerb.

Imagine tasting the sweetest sugar. Would you feel like returning to the classic one?

[mfrmboy]

AWESOME !!!!!!!!!!!

[TwilightSilver]

I can only imagine what the world looked like to him at that altitude. I would give anything to see the earth from top down.