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Post by pieter on Oct 14, 2012 11:24:39 GMT -7
Austrian skydiver Felix Baumgartner has lifted off on his mission to break a series of freefall records. His giant helium balloon left the ground at Roswell, New Mexico, a short while ago and climbed to 128,000ft ( 39km). Baumgartner then jump out after as series of safetyprocedures. The 43-year-old was hoping also to break the sound barrier during his descent - although that mark awaits confirmation. Video cameras relayed the moment Baumgartner stepped from his balloon capsule to begin his fall to Earth. It took 10 minutes for him to reach the desert surface below. Only the last few thousand feet were negotiated by parachute. Helicopter recovery teams have gone to the Austrian's landing site to return him to the mission control centre set up at Roswell airport. Baumgartner's efforts have finally toppled records that have stood for more than 50 years. I watched it live at the BBC and it was very exiting.
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Post by pieter on Oct 14, 2012 11:36:56 GMT -7
Col Joe KittingerThe former record for the biggest jump of all time is now 52 years old. It was set by US Air Force Col Joe Kittinger when he leapt from a helium envelope at an altitude of 102,800ft ( 31.3km). en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joseph_Kittinger
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Post by Jaga on Oct 14, 2012 12:28:48 GMT -7
Pieter,
I saw this guy jumping. It was a bit scary to look at the small Earth. It was also scary when he started twisting in circles but it lasted not that long. Good to know that he could do it with no harm. In the US people like him are called daredevils
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Post by pieter on Oct 14, 2012 13:26:19 GMT -7
Boards of Canada used Joe Kittinger experiance for their videoclip
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Post by pieter on Oct 14, 2012 13:39:34 GMT -7
The free fall of today
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Post by pieter on Oct 14, 2012 13:57:24 GMT -7
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Post by Nictoshek on Oct 14, 2012 17:21:00 GMT -7
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