Art Thompson, Red Bull Stratos’ technical project director, talks circuit breakers, wind shear and biomedical data

Art Thompson, Red Bull Stratos' Technical Project Director, talks circuit breakers, wind shear and biomedical data

While Felix Baumgartner landed safely on the ground just a matter of hours ago, the internet is still resonating with the sound of tweets, status updates and YouTube clicks, all thanks to what was one of the most spectacular human endeavors in recent history. The mission was simple, to send a man up in a balloon higher than ever before, and have him safely jump to the ground. This kind of "simple" is usually anything but -- if you just look past the well-manicured exterior. Which, as luck would have it is exactly what we did.

With the cheers of success still ringing in his ears, we got some quality time with Art Thompson, the technical project director, and Baumgartner's earliest collaborator on the Stratos mission. We wanted to know a little bit more about what went on behind the scenes, and Thompson was more than happy to oblige. They're understandably proud of what they just achieved.

Continue reading Art Thompson, Red Bull Stratos' technical project director, talks circuit breakers, wind shear and biomedical data

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Art Thompson, Red Bull Stratos' technical project director, talks circuit breakers, wind shear and biomedical data originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 16 Oct 2012 17:53:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Felix Baumgarter breaks YouTube record as 8 million viewers watch his space jump (video)

Felix Baumgarter breaks YouTube record as 8 million viewers watch his space jump

Felix Baumgartner might not have broken Joe Kittinger's world record for the longest time spent in freefall, but he did smash a fourth milestone during his dive. In addition to records for the highest ever jump, longest distance fall and fastest downward speed, the stunt was watched by eight million YouTubers at the same time. While the site hasn't divulged exact stats, that figure is apparently higher than those who watched President Obama's inauguration. That said, if you weren't one of the eight million, you can head on past the break to watch the highlights reel -- unless you're already bored of watching a man fall, unaided, you know, from space.

Continue reading Felix Baumgarter breaks YouTube record as 8 million viewers watch his space jump (video)

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Felix Baumgarter breaks YouTube record as 8 million viewers watch his space jump (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 15 Oct 2012 08:18:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Watch Felix Baumgartner’s space dive live right here at 9:30AM ET (update: more delays)

Watch Felix Baumgartner's space dive live right here at 930AM ET update more delays

Weather may have delayed Felix Baumgartner's record-breaking "space dive" by another (no doubt torturous) 24 hours, but all going well, the wait is almost over. In just over an hour, proceedings will kick off, and you can watch them live, right here. The latest reports indicated that conditions remain favorable, with the team sending a weather balloon up into the stratosphere earlier this morning. The fun begins at 8:30am eastern, but all you need to do is grab a coffee then head past the break for the live feed.

Update: Pre-flight checks have postponed the set off. Earliest launch is now set for 12:30PM 1:30PM ET.

Update 2: Sorry folks, the launch has been called off due to gusty winds. The team said that tomorrow was a possibility, but until the weather gives way, Felix will remain firmly on the ground.

Continue reading Watch Felix Baumgartner's space dive live right here at 9:30AM ET (update: more delays)

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Watch Felix Baumgartner's space dive live right here at 9:30AM ET (update: more delays) originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 09 Oct 2012 07:21:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Leap of faith: Felix Baumgartner’s historic jump from the edge of space

Leap of faith Felix Baumgartner's historic jump from the edge of space

BASE jumping might just be about to enter the mainstream. What has typically been considered a fringe activity, reserved for thrill seekers and adrenaline junkies, could soon be firmly cemented in the public view. For the uninitiated, BASE jumping is like skydiving, without the plane. Participants throw themselves off bridges, antennae, buildings, cliffs, and well, whatever high object they can find. It's not illegal, "in theory", but as many of the chosen launch spots are public or private property -- or pose a risk to public safety -- gaining access to, or jumping from them, can mean stepping over the legal line.

This otherwise obstreperous activity has largely kept to itself, occasionally popping up in magazines, or YouTube videos, but -- all going well -- on Monday that changes. Serial boundary pusher (of wing suit across the English Channel fame) Felix Baumgartner is set to leap, in the most literal sense of the word, from relative obscurity into the history books. How? By jumping to earth from the edge of space, likely breaking the sound barrier as he does so. How does one go from humble Austrian beginnings to a capsule 120,000 feet (about 23 miles) above the Earth's surface? Make a comparatively tiny leap past the break to find out.

Continue reading Leap of faith: Felix Baumgartner's historic jump from the edge of space

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Leap of faith: Felix Baumgartner's historic jump from the edge of space originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 05 Oct 2012 16:00:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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