Record-breaking skydive draws attention of space tourism industry
OCT 03, 2012
DOI: 10.1063/PT.5.026404
New Scientist : On 8 October daredevil Felix Baumgartner plans to skydive from a record-setting altitude of 36 km. Within 40 seconds, he should reach a speed of 1100 km/h, which would make him the first person known to break the sound barrier in free fall. Although Baumgartner is primarily performing the stunt for the challenge and the record, the data that will be collected could prove useful for the nascent space tourism industry. Baumgartner’s jump will help to determine the viability of bailing out of a damaged spacecraft, for example. The development of the specially designed suit and breathing apparatus that Baumgartner will be wearing was part of the seven years of planning that went into the jump.
© 2012 American Institute of Physics
