I'll be lying if I say I'm not excited about the forthcoming jump from the edge of space being sponsored by Red Bull. It is still in my bucket list to go skydiving at least once, but this is extreme! It's been all over the news here and each time I'm like, wow, just wow.
It is people like this, and teams like this, and ideas like this that inspire me, and illustrate for me that we can only be limited by what we can dream. But life itself is not without risk and in this sort of endeavor, the risks are even higher.
The Red Bull Stratos team brings together the world's leading minds in aerospace medicine, engineering, pressure suit development, capsule creation and balloon fabrication. It includes retired United States Air Force Colonel Joseph Kittinger, who holds three of the records Felix will strive to break.
Although researching extremes was part of the program's goals, setting records wasn't the mission's purpose. Felix and his specialized team hope to take what was learned from Joe's jumps more than 50 years ago and press forward to test the edge of the human envelope.
Felix could also potentially break four world records: - Reaching supersonic speed in freefall (breaking the sound barrier); Highest manned balloon flight; Longest freefall, and Freefall from highest altitude.
In addition to taking leaps of faith, there is another big lesson I am taking from this. It does take a village to raise a child. Or a team in this instance - to have a man jump from the edge of space. Felix baumtargner couldn't have done this alone, he needs all the doctors, psychologists, engineers, technicians and Red Bull just as much as they need him, an extreme jumper to achieve this goal. This is a great example of the power of community. I am definitely cheering them on.
All the best to Felix and his entire team. There will be a live cast of the jump, and I know I'll be biting my nails as I watch - MzT, I see you :)
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This is a sponsored post by Red Bull Stratos
Hahahaha!! I see you too Myne. I read things like this and come to the conclusion that I'm definitely risk averse!! I just can't. I wish the team aaalll the very best and I hope they learn all they've set out to. It is well!
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