In the 1800's scientists claimed that the human rib cage would collapse
because of the speed of new trains, a max of 25mph. The first 40 pilots
trying to break the sound barrier died when their planes exploded, but
they didn't stop trying. Exploration and risk go hand in hand. I think
this guy is really brave to try this. Let's see if he goes through with
it, and if he survives.
Rodent of Unusual Size wrote:
>
> It is somehow reassuring that the benevolent insanity gene
> has not yet gone from the race.. :-) If he does not make
> it, I think he is a clear Darwin Award candidate.
> --
> #ken P-)}
>
> Ken Coar <http://Golux.Com/coar/>
> Apache Software Foundation <http://www.apache.org/>
> "Apache Server for Dummies" <http://Apache-Server.Com/>
> "Apache Server Unleashed" <http://ApacheUnleashed.Com/>
>
> ApacheCon 2001!
> Four tracks with over 70+ sessions. Free admission to exhibits
> and special events - keynote presentations by John 'maddog' Hall
> and David Brin. Special thanks to our Platinum Sponsors IBM and
> Covalent, Gold Sponsor Thawte, and Silver Sponsor Compaq. Attend
> the only Apache event designed and fully supported by the members of
> the ASF. See more information and register at <http://ApacheCon.Com/>!
>
> ------------------------------------------------------------------------
>
> Subject: FWD: Outer Space Skydive Planned
> Date: Tue, 06 Mar 2001 18:27:12 -0500
> From: "Donald E. Eastlake 3rd" <dee3@torque.pothole.com>
> To: interest@another.pothole.com
>
> Message-Id: <p04320405b6c994035f3b@[63.73.97.187]>
> Date: Mon, 5 Mar 2001 11:05:54 -0800
> From: Jon Callas <jon@callas.org>
> Subject: Outer Space Skydive Planned
>
> Date: Sun, 4 Mar 2001 16:48:31 -0700
> From: Jim Beveridge <jimb@empire.net>
> Subject: FW: Outer Space Skydive Planned
>
> Wicked cool ;-)
>
> http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/world/AP-Space-Jump.html
>
> March 4, 2001
>
> Outer Space Skydive Planned
>
> By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
>
> Filed at 10:46 p.m. ET
>
> SYDNEY, Australia (AP) -- A former Australian army commando plans to
> jump off the edge of outer space and plummet almost 25 miles to Earth
> in the highest skydive ever.
>
> Rodd Millner, 37, will make the 40,000-meter jump by riding in a hot
> air balloon to the edge of space, the Australian Associated Press
> reported Sunday. He will wear an astronaut's suit to protect his body
> from extreme pressures, it said.
>
> The plan calls for Millner to fall at up to 1,100 mph during a
> seven-minute fall before opening a parachute. If he succeeds, he will
> break the sound barrier, the report said.
>
> ``It's basically extreme science to see how far we can push it -- this
> is going to change the face of a lot of things ... including emergency
> procedures for people exploring space,'' he was quoted as saying by
> AAP.
>
> Millner claims that scientists have helped him on the project, but it
> is not known if the human body is capable of enduring such a descent.
>
> The jump may be a relaxing change for Millner, who teaches explosives
> and mine warfare to Australian army recruits.
>
> Millner hopes to turn his plunge into a virtual computer game using
> film from cameras that will be fitted to his suit and the balloon.
>
> Project Space Jump will be launched from Alice Springs in March 2002.
This archive was generated by hypermail 2b29 : Fri Apr 27 2001 - 23:13:35 PDT