Space diver prepares for big {25-mile} jump (Space.com/CNN)

[eppur_se_muova]

By Leonard David
SPACE.com

(SPACE.com) -- Frenchman Michel Fournier is readying himself and equipment to attempt a record-setting free fall from the stratosphere.

Dubbed "The Big Jump", Fournier is eyeing next month for his supersonic free fall from about 130,000 feet (40 kilometers) -- roughly 25 miles above the Earth. The dive from a balloon-carried gondola is slated to take place above the plains of Saskatchewan, Canada.

The 62-year old Fournier is an experienced parachutist, pilot and former military officer. He hopes his ultra-sky dive will contribute to the development of future technologies and the safety of stratospheric flight -- specifically by astronauts in high altitude emergencies that are outfitted with the proper survival equipment.

In September 2002 and then again in August 2003, Fournier's stratospheric high-dive over Canada was thwarted by weather and balloon problems. Over the last two years, The Big Jump team has worked on technical issues, ordering a new balloon, and awaiting the next inversion of jet streams over Canada this August.
***
On August 16, 1960, Captain Joseph Kittinger jumped into the record books after his dive from a height of 102,800 feet (31,334 meters). That jump set records that still stand today -- the highest parachute jump, the longest free fall, and the fastest speed ever attained by a human through the atmosphere. But somewhat in contention was Kittinger's use of a small stabilization parachute during his record-setting fall.
***
more: http://www.cnn.com/2006/TECH/space/07/14/space.diver/index.html

For a book with the fascinating story behind the Kittinger jump and other early stratospheric balloon missions, see Craig Ryan's book, "The Pre-Astronauts": http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1591147484/qid=1153017198/sr=1-1/ref=sr_1_1/104-3524453-4103908?s=books&v=glance&n=283155 (This book has 13 reviews on amazon.com, all ranking it five stars.)

http://images.amazon.com/images/P/1591147484.01._BO2,204,203,200_PIlitb-dp-500-arrow,TopRight,32,-59_AA240_SH20_SCLZZZZZZZ_.jpg

[benburch]

1. Wow.

I wonder how much heat he will develop as he enters the dense part of the atmosphere?

[Up2Late]

2. But wasn't Kittinger a LOT younger that 62?

Best of luck to the guy, but I hope he has his Life Insurance paid up, IIRC Kittinger broke the sound barrier when he did it, this might just kill a man of 62.

[benburch]

3. And without the drogue chute...

...he might develop a several hundred RPM tumble which would be fatal.

There is a reason Kittinger used one of those.

[Posteritatis]

4. Kittinger ended up doing the 120-rpm boogie once, IIRC. (n/t)

[benburch]

5. Correct.

And the glove of his suit failed, too, and his hand was in vacuum much of the time. He was very lucky that the edema went down after he landed and that he did not lose the hand!

[qazplm]

6. yikes!

yeah, put me down for a controlled landing please, no jumping out of anything higher off the ground than my bed. :)

[benburch]

7. If I had to bail out at that altitude...

...it would only be because I HAD TO. If you catch my drift.

Things like the modern near-space aircraft make the bail-out/eject issue relevant for more people than previously, though.

[TechBear_Seattle]

9. Which is why research like this is vital

If anyone ever had to bail out at that altitude, it would be nice to have equipment proven to increase the odds of survival as opposed to "Theoretically it should work, but we just don't know." Just as with pilots flying experimental aircraft, the technology can not be tested unless experienced people are willing to try foolhardy stunts like this. What of the first person to fly a jet? Or go in to orbit?

[qazplm]

10. I certainly understand the need to do it

just a good thing no one is counting on me to do it!

I'd rather spend another year in Iraq then for all practical purposes jump out of orbit! lol

[Billy Ruffian]

11. free fall skills have advanced a great deal

When Kittinger did his jump, formation skydiving was in its infancy (if indeed, a baton pass had even been done). Now, I think the record is up over 300 people in a single formation.

Cheryl Stearns (a perennial style and accuracy champion) was also trying to break Kittinger's record.

The difference between the two attempts (the last time I read about them) is that Stearns was going to jump in a full space suit, and use a non-pressurized gondola. Fournier is going to used a pressurized capsule, and a slightly less capable suit (compared to the one Stearns would use)

I was hoping that Cheryl would get the attempt in first; she's a great skydiver, and a nice person.

[benburch]

13. Going second means the chance to break Fournier's record.

Assuming he survives to set it.

[Billy Ruffian]

15. That thought had crossed my mind :-) n/t

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

8. I attended a film festival on Saturday...

There was a very interesting film there called "The Highest Step in the World" on the "Man High" project. Highest recommendations.

I met Craig Ryan too.

It's all very interesting stuff. I was interested to find out that Von Braun, having become interested in the stuff this team had done, pushed for a test of parachuting at ~250,000 from a capsule but it fell through.

Now that would have been something to watch.

[eppur_se_muova]

17. Thanks for posting about the film. Was Ryan a consultant, or something? nt

[Ready4Change]

12. I am reminded if the movie "Dark Star."

In it, at the end, a space wrecked spaceman falling towards a planet grabs a drifting bit of framework from his wrecked ship. As he nears the planet he places his feet on the plane of metal, and begins planning how to surf through re entry.

The last two words of the story the movie is based on?

"Wipe out."

I think of this because that's where pushing this envelope leads us. What is the minimal equipment with which a person could use to decend from orbit? A single man parachute from, say, the ISS?

I've always wondered about ways to do that. (Besides surfing, that is. :) )

[benburch]

14. Actually, you need a bit more than that.

You need a heat shield and some means of de-orbit propulsion.

http://www.astronautix.com/craftfam/rescue.htm

http://www.astronautix.com.nyud.net:8090/graphics/m/moosbail.jpg

http://www.astronautix.com.nyud.net:8090/graphics/m/moose.jpg

http://www.astronautix.com.nyud.net:8090/graphics/o/ombrec60.jpg

[eppur_se_muova]

16. Interestingly, the ending is very much like a Ray Bradbury story...

it may have been "the Rocket", I can't remember for sure. I'm curious as to what story you're referring to.