[backusstudio]

Hi Rory,

That really was a nice youtube short wasn't it? Some enterprising film maker should make a full length film based on Joe Kittinger's experiences skydiving from the edge of space.

In his talk at Oshkosh Joe said that the purpose of the jumps was to test a parachute design meant to save astronauts from failing space craft. In tests using human analogs (dummies) the dummies got into spins at such a high rpm that they were torn apart. The parachute was designed to first prevent the spinning and then to slow the astronaut to something below mach .9. In one jump Joe got into a spin, I believe due to one 'chute not deploying properly. Before he could pull his backup 'chute cord he was spinning fast enough that his arms were forced straight out by centrifugal force. He was barely able to pull his arm in to pull the release.

An amazing man from the height (literally) of the American era.