Jump Complete! 10/14/12
On Sunday October 14, 2012 Flix Baumgartner completed his highly anticipated “Skydive From the Edge of Space” becoming the first man to break the speed of sound.
For full detail on the jump visit www.redbullstratos.com
Update 2: The Red Bull Stratos jump has once again been postponed. The team is hoping to launch Sunday October 14, 2012. You can still catch it live right here!
Update: After delaying the original date of the record breaking free fall, Red Bull Stratos has rescheduled for today 10/9/12! You still have time to catch daredevil “Fearless Felix” this afternoon – weather permitting.
Original Post:
Skydiver Felix Baumgartner, aka Fearless Felix, is preparing to break the sound barrier and world’s record for highest free fall.
On October 9, 2012 Felix Baumgartner is scheduled to ascend to an altitude of 120,000 feet (23 miles) before free-falling back to earth – breaking the speed of sound, and the world record. 43 year old “Fearless Felix” will float up to his destination courtesy of the world’s largest balloon, which happens to be taller than the Statue of Liberty. The polyethylene balloon is only .0008 inches thick and will be towing a pressurized capsule sponsored by Red Bull, in which Felix will be eagerly awaiting his jump.
The capsule, named Stratos, is equipped with 15 high-tech cameras so the ground control can monitor Felix and the voyage. Additionally, three cameras will be fitted on Felix’s jumpsuit to collect footage from the free-fall at speeds up to 700mph.
Camera technology has drastically changed from the simple camera system used in the first world record set in 1960 by Joe Kittinger, a retired Air Force colonel who will be in attendance to watch his record be surpassed. In the 1960 jump, hot water bottles surrounded the cameras to avoid the systems from freezing at such high altitudes where temperature dips well below-70°.
The cameras used for the 2012 jump are very sophisticated. The systems consist of hi-def moving and still image cameras, 3 channels of live broadcasting, and high quality cinematography cameras. The on-board cameras are sealed in nitrogen pressurized housings to avoid any weather, pressure, or temperature damage.
The footage acquired is very important for scientist to analyze the experience. The Red Bull Stratos is providing the first steps to developing life saving procedures for astronauts and pilots. “Proving that a human can break the speed of sound in the stratosphere and return to earth would be a step toward creating near-space bailout procedures that currently don’t exist.”