Cheryl Stearns' record attempt

[skymama 37]

There's a nice, front page story in The Orlando Sentinel today about Cheryl Stearns' attempt to break the world record for the longest freefall, and it mentions alot about Joe Kittinger's record too. But, I don't know how to make a link to the article, so if someone out there knows how to do it, go ahead and link it for everyone. It makes for interesting reading with your morning coffee.
Andrea
"Up high, I feel like I'm alive for the very first time"...Creed

[PhillyKev 0]

Here it is.

[Divadiver 0]

"I'll have a few minutes to get my heart rate down," Stearns said.
Damn!! I'll need a few minutes from just reading about it! Thanks for pointing us in the direction of the story.
Diva

[GeekStreak 0]

Highest jump, highest balloon ride, ?fastest descent?... AWESOME! Add a few more miles and she's jumping from space! I hear the sky above is black way up there. I hope somebody finds a way to record her jump so we can share the experience a little GO CHERYL!!
Andrea, Thanks for sharing this with us! 1111,
GeekStreak

[SkymonkeyONE 4]

One thing to note about the rush to beat the record: while all of the projects are publicly stating that they are going for 130,000 feet, I know for a fact that at least one is actually going for 160,000.

[GeekStreak 0]

Quote

I know for a fact that at least one is actually going for 160,000

Still AWESOME. What are they gonna do, jump from the space shuttle?
1111,
GeekStreak

[SkymonkeyONE 4]

"What are they gonna do, jump from the space shuttle?"
Well actually, yes they are. Not the people going for the records; but astronauts and test jumpers. The system has been in place for quite some time now for emergency egress from the space shuttle. There was a lengthy article written in parachutist when they developed the system. For those that didn't get to read it, it goes something like this:
The crew will already, obviously, be in their space suits. They then get rigged in their parachutes (three stages) and move to the side door. The hatch is blown and a telescopic pole juts out, down and away from the craft. The crew hooks a large ring over the pole and then jumps out the hatch. Due to the downward curve of the pole, the jumpers are directed under the wing. As I recall, the pole sticks out the port side of the shuttle. Once clear of the pole, automatic openers deploy first a stabilizing drogue, then a series of parachutes. Quite elaborate. They tested this system in China Lake with a modified 737 (I think that is what it was). If I wasn't so swamped I would find the link for you guys.
Chuck

[Aviatrr 0]

Quote

If I wasn't so swamped I would find the link for you guys.

Here is a brief description of the crew emergency egress system..
http://science.ksc.nasa.gov/shuttle/technology/sts-newsref/sts_egress.html#sts_inflight_egress
Mike