Supersonic skydiver

[Skud]

Apparently this guy might break the speed of sound when he tries jumping from this height: 120,000 ft.



http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/8475288.stm

[mapes]

You should read the story of Joe Kittinger. It's incredible.

Badass of the Week: Joseph Kittinger

[Skud]

You should read the story of Joe Kittinger. It's incredible.

Badass of the Week: Joseph Kittinger

Yeah, that is incredible. He'll be there assisting the noob on this one, lol. Anyway, I was wondering if you'd post on this one: I remember your skydiving vid from a while back, if I'm not mistaken.

[Rand{CLR}]

I'm trying to figure something out. How does he get past terminal velocity?

-Rand

[Skud]

I'm trying to figure something out. How does he get past terminal velocity?

-Rand

Not sure. My physics and mathematical skills (what little there were) have long since passed away. Maybe some fellow inhabitants of the Lair can talk about gravitational pull, wind drag, etc. Oh, I did find this in the wiki on the last record dive:

Competition speed skydivers fly in the head down position reaching even higher speeds. The current world record is 614 mph (988 km/h) by Joseph Kittinger, set at high altitude where the lesser density of the atmosphere decreased drag.[2]

. And if I remember correctly, because of the additional 20,000 feet or so (in even thinner atmosphere) they calculate that he can make the speed of sound. We'll see, I suppose, when it happens.

[Jenan]

And the video

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=81gn2oLeC_U

[homosapien15]

I'm trying to figure something out. How does he get past terminal velocity?

-Rand

I haven't take fluids or dynamics yet, but I imagine because the atmosphere was thinner where he was clocked. That would mean less drag force, so I suppose he could go faster than simply falling from more "standard" heights.

[Skud]

And the video

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=81gn2oLeC_U

awesome vid! During the drop he went from about 100 degrees below zero and landed in the desert, lol...could have been a temperature change of around 190 degrees or so in a few minutes.

[MTJ=DK=]

Crazy people!!