Space Diver?

[Beerlight 0]

Pulled this off Avweb.com

http://www.avweb.com/avwebflash/news/SpaceDiver_SkydivingFromSpace_ExtremeSports_196451-1.html

Skydiving from Space — The Next Extreme Sport? Email this article |Print this article

By Mary Grady, News Writer, Editor


It takes a certain kind of person to enjoy jumping out of airplanes -- or off of mountains, or out of balloons, or from bridges -- and those people look like cash cows to the new space-tourism industry, according to New Scientist magazine. That's because while most people will be satisfied with a once-in-a-lifetime trip into space, extreme-sports enthusiasts -- also known as adrenaline junkies -- will keep coming back for more. In anticipation of that market, entrepreneur Rick Tumlinson has started a company called Space Diver, to develop and promote the sport. But the thrill-seeking also has a practical side. Equipment developed to allow skydivers that ultra-long thrill can also be used as safety gear in an emergency. One scenario for how it would work: The space-suited diver would ride on a platform atop the rocket into space, then simply push away to begin the descent. The diver would then free-fall until about a mile above the surface, then deploy the parachute for safe landing.



Space Diver plans to begin low-altitude tests with rocket deployments next year, according to the New Scientist. First, the team will drop dummies, then tests will begin with people, who will make the first-ever jumps from a rocket, starting at about 10,000 feet. "We need to show that we can leave the vehicle safely," Tumlinson told the magazine. "Everything else has already been done in the '60s."

[washbord 0]

Where do you go to sign up to be one of these "drop dummies"?

[dropdeded 0]

Quote

Where do you go to sign up to be one of these "drop dummies"?

I just want a ride on the platform

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The Dude Abides.
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[piratemike 0]

How many repeat customers do the places that offer 30,000 ft jumps have?

[JeepDiver 0]

Interesting - it gives a whole new meaning to landing out

http://www.dropzone.com/cgi-bin/forum/gforum.cgi?post=2963679;#2963679

[Beerlight 0]

I should have added, I'll believe it when I see it!

[DangerRoo 0]

WOW not only will I have a lot of beer to buy for getting into this "normal" skydiving but sounds like I could get some in return!!!!
mmmmmm beer

bring it on

(I.C.D#2 VP)
""I'm good with my purple penis straw" ~sky mama

[MrFreefall383 0]

Saw that article in Popular Science I think it was, that looked freaking awesome! Once they know the jumper won't burn up in the upper atmosphere, and that he won't suffocate and his blood won't boil, I'd love to try it.

"If at first you don't succeed... well, so much for skydiving." - aviation cliche

[dannydan 5]

Quote

The space-suited diver would ride on a platform atop the rocket into space, then simply push away to begin the descent.

Will they turn off the BURNERS BEFORE/as we pass them by after we push off of the platform???? roflmFao!! : DD

[Baksteen 84]

Did someone say "first"?

Edit: Hmm.. they need guinea (sp?) pigs.. Don't these get paid to take risks in untried circumstances?

"That formation-stuff in freefall is just fun and games but with an open parachute it's starting to sound like, you know, an extreme sport."
~mom