1st man in space
 

Outstanding

I also remember reading about 2 men that ejected from a SR-71 at altitude back in the 60s.

AFJ

Yep, a lot of people didn't pay attention to the early high altitude balloon research -- including NASA. The accident in the Gemini Program, where we lost astronauts on the launch pad could have been avoided if NASA had listened to the warnings the balloon researchers had given them about equipment and oxygen-rich atmospheres.

Another thing too, that video clip narrator implies that the balloon researchers were somehow testing Einstein's theories -- which is complete nonsense!

Apollo 1?

Now THAT would have been interesting.

Yes, my mistake; the accident was Apollo 1, but if I remember correctly the warnings were given by someone who had worked on the high altitude balloon project regarding the oxygen being used during the Gemini program. I think the situation was that the balloon research had had a fire of their own as a result of a rich O2 atmosphere.

I know there's a book on the balloon research that mentions the warning given, but not heeded.

I wanna do that!

I bet its one hell of a ride.

Joseph Kittinger is a icon in the Air Force as well as skydiving and balloon ranks. Well known for many, many years, he established himself as a man who was willing to take risks to further mankind in this area.

The video shown is not totally correct. He was supposed to have a small drag chute deploy about 15 seconds after jumping from the balloon. It deployed almost immediately and came close to killing him when it wrapped around his neck. That is why he was rolling around in the video, trying to unwrap it from his neck and body.

He then went on to fly over 500 missions over North Vietnam and was eventually shot down, ending the war after spending a year in the Hanoi Hilton, the famous POW camp in N. Vietnam. Part of the famous "triple nickle" (555 TAC) squadron flying F100 Super Saber aircraft.

After separating from the Air Force he went on to fly for "Rosie O'Grady's Flying Circus", and doing even more record setting balloon flights.

One of the reasons why America is what it is today is because of men like Joseph Kittinger. He is still active today and living in the Orlando area. If anyone wants to meet him, he is out and about in that area, going to Daedalus and QB meetings there as well as air shows. We need more like him...

Joe A

http://www.centennialofflight.gov/essay/Explorers_Record_Setters_and_Daredevils/Kittinger/EX31.htm

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joseph_Kittinger