posty Posted August 16, 2010 Share Posted August 16, 2010 http://www.life.com/image/first/in-gallery...gend-looks-back On August 16, 1960, 32-year-old U.S. Air Force Captain Joe Kittinger flew in a helium-balloon gondola to 102,800 feet (roughly 19 miles) above the Earth ... and jumped. His free-fall lasted 4 minutes and 36 seconds. He experienced temperatures approaching minus-100 degrees Fahrenheit. As he fell, Kittinger neared the speed of sound, his pressure-suit-encased body traveling at more than 600 mph before he opened his parachute at 14,000 feet. To this day, he still holds records for highest parachute jump and longest-ever free-fall. On the 50th anniversary of his jump -- an achievement considered among the most technologically significant, and ballsiest, of the 20th century -- Joe Kittinger spoke with LIFE.com about the highlights of his storied career; his own aviation and scientific heroes; and Red Bull's 2010 Stratos project, on which he's an enthusiastic advisor. Later this year, Stratos -- and the Austrian-born skydiver, Felix Baumgartner -- will attempt to break Kittinger's 1960 record with a near-space free-fall jump from 120,000 feet. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chief Dick Posted August 17, 2010 Share Posted August 17, 2010 http://www.life.com/image/first/in-gallery...gend-looks-back On August 16, 1960, 32-year-old U.S. Air Force Captain Joe Kittinger flew in a helium-balloon gondola to 102,800 feet (roughly 19 miles) above the Earth ... and jumped. His free-fall lasted 4 minutes and 36 seconds. He experienced temperatures approaching minus-100 degrees Fahrenheit. As he fell, Kittinger neared the speed of sound, his pressure-suit-encased body traveling at more than 600 mph before he opened his parachute at 14,000 feet. To this day, he still holds records for highest parachute jump and longest-ever free-fall. On the 50th anniversary of his jump -- an achievement considered among the most technologically significant, and ballsiest, of the 20th century -- Joe Kittinger spoke with LIFE.com about the highlights of his storied career; his own aviation and scientific heroes; and Red Bull's 2010 Stratos project, on which he's an enthusiastic advisor. Later this year, Stratos -- and the Austrian-born skydiver, Felix Baumgartner -- will attempt to break Kittinger's 1960 record with a near-space free-fall jump from 120,000 feet. He didn't die that day? Meh. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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