Random Useless Fact Of The Day

[Bingo]

Here's a random fact for everyone, inspired by comments on the previous fact I posted:

Longest Free Fall Ever


On August 16th, 1960, as a part of the Air Force research program (Project Excelsior), Air Force Capt. Joseph W. Kittinger Jr. stepped off a platform raised to 102,800 feet over Tularosa, New Mexico by a high-altitude balloon.

The Air Force program was designed to investigate the use of a parachute for escape from a space capsule or high-altitude aircraft. To survive the altitude Kittinger wore a pressure suit like those for astronauts.

After 4 minutes, 36 seconds of free fall Kittinger reached a speed of 714 mph (becoming the only human to break the sound barrier without being enclosed in a machine of any kind) and falling 84,700 feet before opening his parachute. He landed safely after 13 minutes, 45 seconds after jumping.

For full details, check this link out. Very freaking impressive and one hardcore dude. Make sure and note the part where part of his suit failed but he kept going anyways:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Project_Excelsior

B

[T I K]

That guy had to have some steel balls :eek:

[Sirc]

It's one thing to step off a fairly stationary platform at that altitude, it's another thing to try to bail out of a spacecraft moving towards escape velocity. It was really pretty pointless. No doubt it was a pretty wild ride though. :eek:

[NastyDawg]

Crazy for sure!

[FUS1ON]

Homie had a big ol' pair, I don't see how he walked

[Hammertime]

amazing!

[Dan2]

That is extreme. I was going to argue that terminal velocity will only allow 200 mph travel but at that height there is virtually no drag. Two other people had planned to break this record but thought it to be too dangerous.