Who wants to watch the world's highest ever parachute jump... LIVE? This is cool

[moobu2]

This is a realistic animation of what it will look like. You can go to the link and watch it live tomorrow (I think) but there's a count down clock showing when the launch is. Watch the vieo though, it's pretty cool.

http://www.redbullstratos.com/

http://vimeo.com/48082757

[moobu2]

1. While were waiting

this is some video of the previous record set in 1962 by Joseph Kittinger who during free fall reached a speed of 618 MPH. Kittinger set the record for the highest balloon ascent, highest parachute jump, longest free fall, and fastest speed by a man through the atmosphere.

[oswaldactedalone]

2. Very cool! n/t

[Cooley Hurd]

3. If only the Eagle lunar lander has "Red Bull" plastered all over it...

Don't get me wrong, this is cool, but the Red Bull thing bums me out.

[muriel_volestrangler]

4. Someone has to pay for it

Unlike Kittinger's jumps, which were genuine research about the feasibility of high altitude escape for pilots or astronauts, this is really just an attempt to get the record. It's not 'pure science', nor for the benefit of the public, so I think it's fine to make it a branded spectacle.

[smorkingapple]

5. Lots of research done here will be used by NASA and future space flight

Yeah it's corporatized. What the fuck isn't at this point?