Historical Events
Human Achievements
Finance & Business
Construction & Engineering
Technology
Geography
Politics
TV & Movies
Celebrities
Sports Trivia
Oddities
Animal Kingdom

Facts: 344
Fact Views: 3735010
Quotes: 154
Quote Views: 513964

The Highest Jump And Longest Free Fall Ever Recorded

Human Achievements

On August 16th, 1960, as a part of the Air Force research program (Project Excelsior), Air Force Capt. Joseph W. Kittinger Jr. stepped off a platform raised to 102,800 feet over Tularosa, New Mexico by a high-altitude balloon.

The Air Force program was designed to investigate the use of a parachute for escape from a space capsule or high-altitude aircraft. To survive the altitude Kittinger wore a pressure suit like those for astronauts.

After 4 minutes, 36 seconds of free fall Kittinger reached a speed of 714 mph (becoming the only human to break the sound barrier without being enclosed in a machine of any kind) and falling 84,700 feet before opening his parachute. He landed safely after 13 minutes, 45 seconds after jumping.

Posted:  2003-10-11  9:14:35 PM

This fact has been viewed 40796 times.

 
Copyright © 2001 Tymar Computer Services