This is The First Human To Free fall Faster Than The Speed Of Sound!
Have you ever wondered what it would be like to jump from the edge of space? Felix Baumgartner did just that with the Red Bull Stratos project. On October 14, 2012, this brave 43-year-old Austrian skydiver made a historic jump from the stratosphere. He became the first human being to free fall faster than the speed of sound!
Felix dropped from around 39 kilometers above Earth and reached speeds of 1,357.64 km/h (843.6 mph), breaking the sound barrier. His record-breaking attempt ended up getting him 2 other records. Let’s have a closer look at this unbelievable stunt.
Felix Baumgartner Creating Sonic Boom!
Felix Baumgartner took off in a helium balloon from Roswell, New Mexico, and ascended to approximately 39 kilometers (24 miles) above the Earth. From there, he made his iconic jump. His free fall was expected to last between five and six minutes. However, the entire descent lasted about 10 minutes. Felix deployed his parachute after 4 minutes and 19 seconds.
Baumgartner’s jump was nothing short of extraordinary as he reached speeds of 1,357.64 km/h (843.6 mph), breaking the sound barrier. Yes, his fall created a sonic boom that could be heard by those watching from the New Mexico desert. But that wasn’t all. Baumgartner also broke two other world records during his descent.
Preparation for the Historic Jump
The Red Bull Stratos project began in January 2010. Baumgartner worked with a team of scientists and Red Bull GmbH to attempt the highest sky-dive on record. They monitored his physiological response using the Equivital LifeMonitor. Initially, the project faced a legal hurdle when Daniel Hogan claimed Red Bull stole his idea of a parachute dive from space. This lawsuit was resolved out of court in June 2011, and the project resumed.
Baumgartner undertook two preparatory jumps. The first attempt, on March 15, 2012, was from 21,818 meters (71,581 feet). During this jump, he spent approximately 3 minutes and 43 seconds in free fall. He reached speeds of over 580 km/h (360 mph).
The second test jump, on July 25, 2012, was from 29,460 meters (96,650 feet). This jump lasted about 3 minutes and 48 seconds before he deployed his parachutes, reaching speeds of 863 km/h (536 mph).
Baumgartner’s training was rigorous. He wore a special pressure suit designed to protect him from the harsh conditions of the stratosphere. His physiological responses were closely monitored to ensure his safety.
The Historic Jump: Uncontrollable Spin & Issues With Visor Heater!
On October 14, 2012, Baumgartner made his historic jump. The original launch was scheduled for October 9 but was delayed due to weather and technical issues. Finally, on a clear day with mild winds, the capsule launched at 09:30 MDT from Roswell International Air Center.
Baumgartner’s ascent took about 2.5 hours. During the ascent, he encountered a problem with his visor heater but decided to proceed with the jump. After the capsule reached the target altitude, Baumgartner began the procedure to leave the capsule.
He depressurized the capsule, detached his umbilical air supplies, and prepared for the jump.
“OK, we’re getting serious now, Felix.”
Joseph Kittinger, a mission advisor, said to him.
Baumgartner jumped at 12:08 MDT. Within 42 seconds, he reached his maximum velocity of 1,342 km/h (834 mph), breaking the sound barrier. He experienced an uncontrolled spin, which he managed to stabilize after 1 minute and 23 seconds.
Despite his visor fogging up, he continued the descent and deployed his parachute after 4 minutes and 16 seconds of free fall. He landed safely in eastern New Mexico, approximately 9 minutes after jumping from the capsule.
Baumgartner’s landing was celebrated by ground crews and watched live by over 9.5 million people on YouTube, setting a record for the “live stream with the most concurrent views ever on YouTube.”
The capsule, designed for a single use, landed about 70.5 kilometers (43.8 miles) east of Baumgartner’s landing site.
Breaking More Records
Felix Baumgartner’s jump set several records. He became the first human to travel faster than the speed of sound outside a vehicle and broke two other world records.
With a final altitude of 38,969 m (127,851 feet), Baumgartner claimed the unofficial record for the highest manned balloon flight. Felix also broke the record for the highest-altitude jump. Fédération Aéronautique Internationale (FAI) verified Felix’s records following the jump.
The data from his jump contributed to advancements in safety and equipment for future high-altitude jumps and space missions. This mission provided valuable insights into next-generation pressure suits as well.
The Red Bull Stratos Project
The Red Bull Stratos project was a collaboration between Felix Baumgartner, Red Bull, and a team of scientists. The project aimed to push the boundaries of human exploration and gather scientific data.
Despite facing legal challenges from Daniel Hogan, who claimed the idea was his, the project resumed and ultimately succeeded. The mission showcased the spirit of human exploration and what can be achieved with determination and teamwork.
Conclusion
Felix Baumgartner’s achievement on October 14, 2012, was a remarkable milestone in human history. As the first human to freefall faster than the speed of sound, Baumgartner’s jump demonstrated the potential of human exploration and the importance of pushing boundaries. His place in history is well-deserved, and his contributions to science and exploration will inspire future generations.
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