On Aug. 16, 1960, as researcher for the then-fledgling U. S. space program, Air Force Captain Joseph Kittinger rode a helium balloon to the edge of space, 102,800 feet above the earth. Then, wearing just a thin pressure suit and breathing supplemental oxygen, he leaned over the cramped confines of his gondola and jumped--into the 110-degree-below-zero, near-vacuum of space. Within seconds his body accelerated to 714mph in the thin air, breaking the sound barrier. After free-falling for more than four and a half minutes, slowed finally by friction from the heavier air below, he felt his parachute open at 14,000 feet, and coasted gently down to the New Mexico desert floor.
[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z8RRkMsHOMU]Joseph Kittinger Record Breaking Sky Dive From The Edge Of Space 102,800 ft 1960 - YouTube[/ame]
The reported speeds are all over the map. The video reports 450 mph, the OP source says 714 mph, and this article says 614 mph: Aviation pioneer to make special appearance at the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force Whatever, you must step off knowing that you might not make it.
Incredible! Regarding the maximum speed attained ... If one takes the initial height of 102,800 ft and the height at which the parachute opened at 14,000 feet, then the free fall distance is 88,800 feet. Using the formula for time of free fall in Earth's gravity (t = sqrt(2*d/G)) gives a time of 74 seconds. Then, the velocity attained is v = Gt = 2,390 ft/sec or 1,630 mph. Because there is air resistance that speed was not reached. To include the effects of air resistance one needs to know the effective cross section of Captain Kittinger, the drag coefficient, and the density of air (which was changing as he dropped). Depending on what one plugs in for the parameters above, folks were probably getting different numbers. That would be my guess. Now, if the Captain had an iPhone (with its internal clock and accelerometer), then there wouldn't be any doubts about his speed.
Here's the next chapter. Tomorrow, 9 Oct, Red Bull Stratos Project. Everything You Need To Know About Red Bull’s Insane World Record 23-Mile Space Jump (Jalopnik.com) See the rest, incl. graphics, here.
There was a weather delay due to wind but things are now back in motion again. Baumgartner is suited up and the very large (30 million sq ft !!) balloon is being laid out. The live camera is already on (here) but nothing to see yet other than a view of the sky over NM.
Baumgartner was in the capsule and the balloon was being filled but the wind kicked up and the launch was aborted. Delay possibly until tomorrow, possibly much longer.
It never is the fall that kills you, it's the sudden stop at the end of the fall that will get you every time.