On 16 August, 1960 Col Jopseph Kittiner, Test Director of Project Excelsior, stepped into the record books by walking of a gondola and beginning a free fall from a hight of 102,800 feet. Col. Kittinger’s records of the highest ascent in a balloon, the highest parachute jump, the longest free fall and the fastest speed by man through he atmosphere are all targets of the Red Bull Stratos project.
Felix Baumgartner is attempting to break all of Kittinger’s records and is attempting to break the speed of sound as he falls through the atmosphere.
Here are films clips from the 1960′s showing Kittinger’s amazing jump.
Sky Dive From The Edge Of Space 102,800 Feet
Unedited footage from the Air Force vaults. The spinning video is a result of the split film from two cameras as Kittenger got tangled in his parachute and spun out of control for a brief period.
Joe Kittinger’s Skydive From The Edge Of Space
The Red Bull Stratos Project looks to improve upon all of Col. Kittingers (Ret) legacy.
All clips © Red Bull Media House
Follow the progress at Red Bull Stratos
More on Project Excelsior at USAF