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Forum:	Free Space
Topic:	Red Bull Stratos: Felix Baumgartner's skydive

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Your Reply: HTML is ON UBB Code is ON Smilies Legend	[QUOTE]Originally posted by YankeeClipper: [B] [QUOTE]Originally posted by mjanovec: [b]Did Red Bull Stratos specifically state that those were their objectives...[/b][/QUOTE]I've consistently said that this flight was pioneering aerospace exploration, testing limits and pushing an experimental flight envelope. I'll refer you back to my post on page 3 of this topic on October 18, which was directly transcribed from the Red Bull Stratos Mission webpage on that date. If you visit the [URL=http://www.redbullstratos.com/the-mission/what-is-the-mission/]Red Bull Stratos Mission[/URL] webpage currently and hover over [THE MISSION], you will see the following continue to be stated: <BLOCKQUOTE>[i]Red Bull Stratos is a scientific mission to 120,000 ft. Jumping from a stratospheric balloon one man will attempt to break the speed of sound in freefall.[/i]</BLOCKQUOTE>The mission webpage also currently states: <BLOCKQUOTE>[i]Red Bull Stratos seeks to advance scientific discoveries in aerospace for the benefit of mankind. The purpose of the Red Bull Stratos mission is to transcend human limits. His successful feat on Oct. 14, 2012 holds the potential to provide valuable medical and scientific research data for future pioneers. Although researching extremes was part of the program's goals, setting records wasn't the mission's purpose. Today Felix and his specialized team want to take what was learned from Joe's jumps more than 50 years ago, and combine that with data acquired during Felix's supersonic freefall.[/i]</BLOCKQUOTE> Further, on the [URL=http://www.redbullstratos.com/science/]Red Bull Stratos Science[/URL] webpage it states the following: <BLOCKQUOTE>[i]"Red Bull Stratos medical director Dr. Jonathan Clark, who was the crew surgeon for six Space Shuttle flights, wants to explore the effects of acceleration to supersonic velocity on humans: "We'll be setting new standards for aviation. Never before has anyone reached the speed of sound without being in an aircraft. Red Bull Stratos is testing new equipment and developing the procedures for inhabiting such high altitudes as well as enduring such extreme acceleration. The aim is to improve the safety for space professionals as well as potential space tourists."[/i]</BLOCKQUOTE> On the [URL=http://www.redbullstratos.com/science/scientific-values/]Red Bull Stratos Scientific Value[/URL] webpage it states the following: <BLOCKQUOTE>[i]Red Bull Stratos aims to provide information that will further the progression of aerospace safety. The key benefits for the science community are as follows: - To aid development of a new generation of space suits - including enhanced mobility and visual clarity - and other systems to lead toward passenger/crew exit from space. - To aid development of protocols for exposure to high altitude/high acceleration. - To aid exploration of the effects on the human body of supersonic acceleration and deceleration, including development of the latest innovations in parachute systems.[/i]</BLOCKQUOTE> A lot of hard science was done on the ground before the flight envelope was ever pushed. By definition, the flight was going to be a test of human high altitude and supersonic survivability - nobody had done this before at that altitude and speed in earth atmosphere and proven that biomechanically this was humanly possible and survivable. Theory is one thing, proof another. The flight parameter data increases the knowledge base about human stratospheric flight. Who knows what vehicle flight profiles will be flown in the future and where this may be applicable? Preliminary aerospace research made Kittinger's flights possible, which made Baumgartner flights possible, which in turn will make future flights possible at higher altitudes. All of this helps characterize and define the human flight envelope and its limits. [QUOTE]Originally posted by mjanovec: [b]Here's the litmus test: If the Red Bull Stratos project was really about science, then surely there is no reason to stop after breaking Kittinger's altitude record. If there truly is science to be gained by pushing higher and faster with these jumps, why stop now?[/b][/QUOTE]From the Red Bull Stratos Mission webpage: <BLOCKQUOTE>[i]Although researching extremes was part of the program's goals, setting records wasn't the mission's purpose.[/i]</BLOCKQUOTE>The stated mission profile was to 120,000ft and supersonic freefall speed, and they reached and surpassed those limits. If this was really about records then they would have gone again for the longest freefall time record. Perhaps Red Bull Stratos will redefine a new objective in future. However they will need a new test subject as Baumgartner has indicated he is not willing to risk another such high altitude flight. There is also the matter of funding - Robert Goddard's pioneering rocket flights were, in part, possible because Buzz Aldrin's father secured support from Charles Lindbergh and Daniel Guggenheim, and the funding was curtailed because of the 1930s Depression. Are [b]you[/b] willing to put your mouth, your neck, and your money on the line? Thought not![/B][/QUOTE]
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