Cosmic Perspective - Col. Joe Kittinger

<p>My guest today is the 1st person to free fall from more than 100,000 ft & perform a solo crossing of the Atlantic in a Gas Balloon, <strong>Colonel Joe Kittinger</strong>. Joseph William Kittinger II (born July 27, 1928) is a former United States Air Force pilot. He became famous for participating in the Excelsior project where he jumped from a helium balloon from an altitude of 31,300 m (102,800 ft) on August 16, 1960.</p> <p> </p> <p>Kittinger was assigned by Aerospace Medical Research Laboratories at Wright-Patterson AFB in Dayton, Ohio, to Project Excelsior. The project consisted of a series of jumps to test the Beaupre multi-stage parachute system to be reliable after ejection at high altitudes and supersonic speeds.</p> <p> </p> <p>We've added a new way to donate to 365 Days of Astronomy to support editing, hosting, and production costs.<span class= "Apple-converted-space"> </span></p> <p>Just visit: <a href= "https://www.patreon.com/365DaysOfAstronomy">https://www.patreon.com/365DaysOfAstronomy</a> and donate as much as you can!</p> <p>Share the podcast with your friends and send the Patreon link to them too!<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></p> <p>Every bit helps! Thank you!</p> <p>------------------------------------</p> <p>Do go visit <a href= "http://www.redbubble.com/people/CosmoQuestX/shop">http://www.redbubble.com/people/CosmoQuestX/shop</a> for cool Astronomy Cast and CosmoQuest t-shirts, coffee mugs and other awesomeness!</p> <p><a href= "http://cosmoquest.org/Donate">http://cosmoquest.org/Donate</a> This show is made possible through your donations.<span class= "Apple-converted-space"> </span></p> <p>Thank you! (Haven't donated? It's not too late! Just <a href= "http://cosmoquest.org/Donate">click</a>!)</p> <p>------------------------------------</p> <p>The 365 Days of Astronomy Podcast is produced by the Planetary Science Institute. <a href= "http://www.psi.edu">http://www.psi.edu</a></p> <p>Visit us on the web at <a href= "http://365DaysOfAstronomy.org/">365DaysOfAstronomy.org</a>