Stratos Jump; it's on!
 

Next Launch opportunity; Sunday Oct 14

TOO WINDY for today (Tuesday); mission aborted

live link:
Live Broadcast | Red Bull Stratos

info available @ 11:45am eastern...
"Felix is getting ready to launch - crew is laying out balloon."


http://www.redbull.ca/cs/RedBull/RBI...ge_stratos.jpg

Can't wait!

from previous test jump:
http://www.wired.com/playbook/wp-con...stratos-01.jpg

http://www.wired.com/playbook/wp-con...03-660x440.jpg

http://www.redbull.com/cs/RedBull/RB...tos%20test.jpg

http://www.brainboxx.co.uk/a4_resour.../parachute.gif

the guy doing the ground radio communications while Felix is up in the capsule - is legendary Joseph Kittinger (84yo):

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joseph_Kittinger

Thanks for posting this up. I'm very interested in this jump.

Good luck and Godspeed, Felix. :angel:

You would have thought that the um, basket/cockpit/whatever would have been shaped like and painted to look like a giant Red Bull can.

He's already made two test jumps previous, @ 10 & 15 mile altitude. I think the team is OK on the altitude aspect; it's the sound barrier concerns... and whether his suit will hold up through the shock wave turbulance.

What happens to the balloon and the capsule after he bails out? Does it come crashing back to earth and land on someones house?

Nope, it lands on a witch. Duh.

now seeing actual live video from the launch site.

Which witch?

:seasix: :cool1:

Ban him.

Now.

Excellent!

the live broadcast has began:
Live Broadcast | Red Bull Stratos

I'm reading that Felix is aboard.

Kittinger looks good for a man of 84.

Off for today.