Tuesday, May 27, 2008

SKYDIVER TO BREAK SOUND BARRIER IN FREEFALL


Report from mirror:

French Parachutist Michel Fournier, plans to break four world records, today with his record breaking freefall jump today in Canada.

He holds the France’s freefall record with a 12km jump.

This time around he is planning to leap from a balloon 40 km (25 miles) above Western Canada.

If he successfully completes the jump from high above Canada's Prairies, he hopes to claim four records: the freefall altitude record, the highest manned balloon flight, the longest time in freefall and the speed record for freefall.

Fournier will use a helium-filled balloon 90 metres (295 feet) high to reach the jump altitude. The balloon is expected to take 2-1/2 hours to make the trip, carrying a pressurized basket with oxygen and flight data instruments.

Fournier will jump wearing a spacesuit capable of withstanding temperatures of -100 Celsius (-148 Fahrenheit) for as long as 10 minutes.

Should he carry off his "Super Jump", he'll surpass official world freefall record of 24,483 metres, set in 1962, though in 1960 a U.S. Army captain fell 31,333 meters in an uncertified attempt.

He also expects to be the first human to break the sound barrier in freefall.

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