Joe Kittinger: The Man Who Fell to Earth

[The Straight Story]

Joe Kittinger: The Man Who Fell to Earth

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. Pictured: A relaxed Joe Kittinger in 1962, prior to the launch of the groundbreaking Stargazer scientific mission. (See slide 12 in this gallery for more on Stargazer.)

http://www.life.com/image/first/in-gallery/45761/joe-kittinger-a-legend-looks-back

[RandomThoughts]

1. Did you get the idea to post that from signature in this post?

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x8958370

[The Straight Story]

2. No, just stumbled across it :) (nt)

[guitar man]

3. Little Joe!

50 years ago today! :applause:

This book is definetly worth the read, I couldn't put it down. It's been a while, may have to pull it out and re-read it .

http://www.borders.com/online/store/TitleDetail?sku=1591147484