The image of Felix Baumgartner’s leap from the stratosphere in 2012 is simply unforgettable. True, the achievement of the Red Bull Stratos program was surpassed just two years later, but the entire world stood still to watch the Austrian skydiver free fall trying to break a record of more than five decades. And among so many eyes focused on the screens were those of Joe Kittingerthe author of the original brand to beat, who passed away on December 9 at the age of 94.
For 52 years, Kittinger was the enviable record holder. From the highest balloon ascent, to the highest parachute jump, without forgetting the longest free fall, or the highest speed at which a person has traveled in the atmosphere without having a vehicle or engine. Baumgartner managed to break three of those four records – he only lacked the one for the longest free fall – and he did it with the experienced ex-aviator acting as head of communications.
As reported Air Force Times, his death occurred at his home in Florida, United States, after battling lung cancer. The news was confirmed by family friends and politician John Mica. It is worth mentioning that, in addition to his achievements as a skydiver, Joe Kittinger He was a pilot during the Vietnam Warwhere he was captured and spent 11 months in a prison camp.
Joe Kittinger, the record man for parachute jumps
The case of Joe Kittinger is notorious, since throughout his career as a member of the United States Air Force achieved great prestige for his participation in experimental programs.
In 1957, for example, he starred in the first mission of Project manhigh, which intended to study the effects of cosmic rays on the human body. On June 2 of that year, the then aviator climbed to almost 29,500 meters in a gondola equipped with different equipment to make measurements. The ascent had to be interrupted prematurely due to the incorrect installation of a valve in the oxygen supply system.
However, Kittinger achieved his moment of glory a few years later, thanks to the Project Excelsior. He himself aimed test the development of a new type of parachute that allowed the safe ejection of the pilots, considering that the aircraft of the time were capable of flying higher and faster.
On November 16, 1959, Joe Kittinger became the first man to jump from the stratosphere as part of the mission Excelsior II. He did it from a height of 23,300 meters, although the event could have ended in tragedy, since the skydiver fainted in the middle of the fall. Fortunately, the parachute’s altimeter and timer system worked correctly and activated its deployment, allowing it to touch down safely.
Less than a month later, on December 11, the test was performed excelsior II. This time, Kittinger was able to complete the jump without major problems, although from a lower height than the previous one (22,800 meters).
But it was on August 16, 1960 that Joe Kittinger truly made history. As part of excelsior IIItook the gondola propelled by a stratospheric balloon to the 31,300 meters high. From there he managed to throw himself in and set the four records that 52 years later were challenged—and surpassed, in three cases—by Felix Baumgartner.
An anecdote of the record jump of the American aviator says that the pressurization system of his suit failed. This left his right hand exposed to the effects of altitude, resulting in a significant and painful swelling. Despite this, Kittinger chose not to inform his superiors to avoid a possible cancellation of the attempt.
Respect for Felix Baumgartner
In 2012, Red Bull called him up as an adviser to the Stratos program that led to Felix Baumgartner trying to break his records. Joe Kittinger also served as communicator with the capsulemaintaining direct radio contact with the Austrian paratrooper throughout the process.
Before the jump, the experienced pilot and skydiver assured that he not only wanted Baumgartner to break his records, but also to become the first man to overcome the sound barrier without using a ship or engine. “Chuck Yeager was the first guy to fly supersonic speeds in an aircraft. It was on a day like today, but 65 years ago. And I think it would be absolutely wonderful if we could get Felix to fly supersonic without an aircraft,” he said on October 14, 2012.
To Kittinger’s delight, the European made it. During his jump from almost 39,000 meters high, Baumgartner reached a speed of almost 1,358 kilometers per hour; namely, Mach 1.25.
The voice of Joe Kittinger accompanied Baumgartner until his jump, following the list of tasks to be accomplished and leaving a sentence for the story. “[…] That’s it, boy. Stand on the outside step, keep your head down, release the helmet tether. Turn on the cameras, and our guardian angel will take care of you”. The rest was history.
After the news of his death was made public, Felix Baumgartner himself remembered Kittinger On Instagram. “Respect”he wrote, accompanying with a black heart a photograph sharing a greeting with one of the most important paratroopers in American aerospace history.