I'm watching on my phone as youtube is blocked at work. I know this is Roswell but there's all sorts of little dots flying about the screen 😆
one of the key concerns was the impact on felix when going through the sound barrier (sonic boom or is that just phrasing rather than actual effect?) could cause him to spin out of control.
All sorts of nasty aerodynamic stuff happens at transonic speeds...hence it was such a big deal figuring out how to design aircraft to handle it.
OTOH he's up in such thin air that the shock forces etc will be correspondingly reduced, presumably its not going to be anywhere near as bad as going supersonic at sea level.
The sonic boom is just the compressed shock wave you're pushing out around you, which can't escape out in front fast enough....the aerodynamics get weirdest when you're just below/above the speed of sound so you're stuck right in the shock wave with airflow that's varying from subsonic to supersonic in different areas around the airframe (...or indeed, body).
There's a bit about the speed of sound stuff here. http://www.redbullstratos.com/science/speed-of-sound/
One of the things I find odd, looking at the technical details, is the use of imperial measurements.
I know the USA hasn't caught up with the rest of the world in that respect yet, but I still can't get used to the idea of reading about cutting edge technology in terms that I associate with steam engines and vintage vehicles.
Yeah logged on via iPad and delayed launch.. and a delayed lunch.
Oh well.
Have to catch it second hand on the train laters.. bummer, this was going t be epic, well it still could be but i'll miss it live..
Just to be pedantic and because its the done thing on STW...
Pressure does not affect the speed of sound in air, its a temperature thang.
[url= http://www.grc.nasa.gov/WWW/BGH/atmosi.html ]NASA Java speed of sound simulator to play with[/url]
It's density, which is in turn affected by pressure and temperature, PV = nRT and all that innit
There was a plan for an emergency, single person re-entry device. It was in the form of a heat shield that was made in orbit and that the user lay on
like an interplantary surfboard? Cool...
Launch delayed again now so it's going to be this evening before the jump (if it even happens).
like an interplantary surfboard? Cool...
Wow! just like the Silver Surfer! I want one.
"Dang"
I really wanted this to go ahead now.. not tonight, not laters..
Have a word..
Countdown on hold till 11.30 MDT 😕
The cosmic surfboard idea...
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It's on. Currently at 21000m
so when is he scheduled to jump (approx) then?
http://singletrackworld.com/forum/topic/psa-redbull-stratos-on-now
Another hour or so before the jump
Wow what a guy, well done to him 🙂
The most bonkers thing I have ever seen 😀
Wow - amazing, whole family gripped by live feed.
