Speaking of Precision

Milo the 'Mission Accomplished' link doesn't work for me. Is this the intended article?

You said "In the future, astronauts will be better protected due to the lessons learned from Baumgartner's Jump." Can you expand on this... what lessons have been learned?

It is Doorman.

As for what we learned / are learning:

"We're testing new spacesuits, escape concepts and treatment protocols for pressure loss at extreme altitudes," said the Red Bull Stratos medical director, Dr. Jonathan Clark, who formerly oversaw the health of space shuttle crews at NASA. "There are so many things that could go wrong here that we're pushing the technical envelope."

While building the customized suit and capsule, the team of aerospace veterans had to contend with one crucial uncertainty: What happens to the human body when it breaks the sound barrier? "- NYTimes

Milo

I certainly congratulate Felix Baumgartner in his record setting balloon jump. I think amid all the celebrations for Felix there should be a mention of the humble heroics of Joseph Kittenger, the former holder of this record. Mr. Kittenger's first jump in Project Excelsior nearly ended up in disaster when his pressure suit was found to be leaking during the solo balloon ascent. Several quick attempts to repair the leak failed. When Mr. Kittenger realized that he would soon blackout from a lack of oxygen, he jumped. He blacked out during the fall. The automatic parachute opening mechanism worked thus saving his life and likely the project. He regained consciousness with the canopy over his head. The number of ways an unconscious person in free fall from that height could have died boggles my mind. Yet when the engineers identified and repaired the source of the leak, Kittenger went for another ascent.

Among the control room crew assisting Felix Baumgartner in the balloon ascent and free-fall descent was Joseph Kittenger. Well done, one and all!

I believe Kittinger still holds the record for the longest freefall duration by about 10 seconds(could be 20) despite Baumgartner launching at 39km above the earth his speed record guaranteed that the duration of his fall would be truncated somewhat.

I remarked at the time that irrespective of what crazy arsed thing I may do it will pale into insignifcance to stepping out of a balloon lofted capsule at 39km and saying "Geronimo!"...

After reading Col. Kittenger's Wiki history, I'd say he is a bona fide HERO.

Thanks. I thought he was pretty cool before reading about him.

The heroics were not at all humble. Like most true heroes, Col. Kittenger is humble about his heroics.

Well I for one am not pleased.

Just imagine how much cheaper Redbull would be if they were not overcharging on their products to pay for such things.