Red Bull power scientists to take stratospheric balloon

History is set to be made on Monday, 8 October, 2012,as record-breaking skydiver Felix Baumgartner, backed by a team of world-leading scientists, engineers and physicians will take a stratospheric balloon flight to 120,000 feet / 36,576 meters above the Earth’s surface and jump.

The mission is “RED BULL STRATOS”. These were contained in a statement issued by Red Bull Ghana office in Accra to announce the countdown of the event in Ghana said.

It stated that the event would be broadcast live at www.redbullstratos.com and on YouTube, and Ghanaians must not miss such a historic adventure.

 

The statement noted: “In doing so, Felix will make aerospace history. Not only will he surpass US Air Force Colonel (Ret.) Joe Kittinger’s freefall altitude record he ascended to 102,800 feet/31,333 meters– one that has stood the test of time for over 50 years – but he will also become the first person ever to break the speed of sound with his own body”.

.

“The Red Bull Stratos program will inspire people in terms of science – we’re doing what it takes to take science to the next level to help private space programs.”Art Thompson, Red Bull Stratos-Technical Project Director added.

The key benefits of the mission for the science community are as follows: too aid development of a new generation of space suits including enhanced mobility and visual clarity, as well as the latest innovations in parachute systems and other equipment, to lead to passenger crew exit from space.

It will also aid development of protocols for exposure to high altitude/ high acceleration and the exploration of the effects of supersonic acceleration and subsequent deceleration on the human body.

 

The statement said Felix could potentially break four world records: – Reaching supersonic speed in freefall (breaking the sound barrier); Highest manned balloon flight; Longest freefall, and Freefall from highest altitude.

 

Short URL: http://thechronicle.com.gh/?p=48110