Rest in Peace Joe Kittinger . . . . .
In the 1930's a French physicist named Picard, rode a balloon and gondola named the "Stargazer"
up into the stratosphere. Anyone who knows Star Trek knows the name of the Next Gen Captain
and the name of his first command. The real Picard's Stargazer is at the Dayton Ohio Museum
at Wright Patterson Air Field. . . .I saw and touched it twice. . .
Once at the museum . . .and in a National Geographic Magazine there was a 2 inch square of
the balloon canopy in the issue. . . I gave my issue to a balloon pilot friend, when I was older.
In 1960 Joe Kittinger rode a balloon up to the top of the sky and jumped into history.
It made the cover of LIFE Magazine . . . . .
I found out about it in MAD MAGAZINE, in a fiction joke satire, about photographers.
In 1966 Nick Piantanida tried again, but his suit depressurized, and the ground crew
radio cut the gondola from the balloon remotely, and the whole cockpit parachuted down.
Nick passed some days later. . . .Demonstrating the danger.
That's when I first realized the difference between science fiction and reality.
Until then, I thought they were "just" paratroopers. . . .
In 2012 Felix Baumgartner broke the records . . . in a well tested suit, and fancy gondola.
but he had balls of stainless steel none the less. . . .Felix passed away years later.
Joe did it before Mercury 7 astronauts developed super suits.
Joe's balls were stainless steel , , , with gold inlay.
I can only imagine what it is to be that far up in an open cockpit.
Joe Kittinger R.I.P.
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Joe Kittinger R.I.P.
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Re: Joe Kittinger R.I.P.
Hi Jerry,
Thanks for this interesting post.
Thanks for this interesting post.
Your friend on the web's most friendly community on knives and blades,
John
Massachusetts Where Everything is Illegal or Taxed
John
Massachusetts Where Everything is Illegal or Taxed