Photo: Red Bull
The capsule that will carry Austrian skydiver Felix Baumgartner to the upper part of the stratosphere for his supersonic freefall attempt is ready for the flight. The eight foot diameter capsule looks more like a space vehicle rather than a simple place to hitch a ride beneath a balloon. Designed to withstand temperatures as cold as -70F, the pressurized space serves as the waiting room before Baumgartner jumps out during his attempt to perform the highest skydive of all time.
As part of the Red Bull Stratos project, the new capsule is a definite step up from the open air gondola used by the current freefall record holder. In 1960, then Captain Joe Kittinger (with Baumgartner above) rode what was really not much more than an improved military version of the baskets seen beneath a hot air balloon. Exposed to the air (or lack of it), Kittinger jumped out at 102,800 feet as part of an Air Force research project. Today Kittinger is working with Baumgartner on the Stratos project.
The Austrian’s ride will be plush by comparison. With a custom made seat designed to comfortably support the pressurized suit Baumgartner will be wearing, the capsule has a six foot diameter pressure vessel that will provide protection from the cold and lack of oxygen at altitude. Baumgartner will only inflate the pressure suit when he is ready to take the big leap.
The 2,900 pound capsule will take around three hours to rise to an altitude of 120,000 feet where Baumgartner will start his much faster return trip back to the surface. The unmanned capsule will return to earth via a parachute.
In addition to his hopes of becoming the first person to fly faster than the speed of sound in freefall, Baumgartner is also hoping the knowledge gained from the Stratos project will lead to better emergency systems for future spacecraft. After a long delay due to legal issues, Baumgartner hopes to make his jump later this year.
Interior photos of the capsule after the jump.
A photo from the top of the Stratos capsule looking down on the cockpit that will carry Felix Baumgartner to 120,000 feet. Photo: Red Bull
Retired Colonel Joe Kittinger reviews checklists for Baumgartner's record attempt. Photo: Red Bull
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