This is really a big deal around here .

[Anna]

http://www.foxnews.com/science/2012/10/09/felix-baumgartner-supersonic-jump-on-weather-hold/
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[/size]The local radio stations are all a buzz about it , as either being an act of insanity or bravery on the part of
[/size]this man .  But I agree with what one of them said this morning . That something had to happen around
[/size]here in order to get all the attention away from the UFO crash back in the 1940s.
[/size]The annual festival that is associated with that event is designed to help bring in badly needed tourist
[/size]dollars.  But in the last few years it has become a "Holloween " type of activity bringing in its share of nuts
[/size]from all over the world.  Elvis and John Lennon impersonators , Trekkies , all of which I have no idea what
[/size]they had to do with what happened here back in 1947 .           
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[/size]But we all wish this man well and hope he returns here safely. This is a privately funded research project
[/size]that could lead to a new generation of space suits that could be used by future astronauts.
[/size]Or that is what they are saying. Privately funded space enterprise is essential to the US if we want to maintain
[/size]our lead and ween ourselves off of being dependant on the Russians ,at a considerable cost factor .
[/size]Two private company's are here watching this event very closely , one is Space X , and the other is Virgin
[/size]Galactic .  Space X , now has a space module that has docked with the space station successfully bringing it
[/size]supply's . It also has the ability to return home with cargo from the station .

[/size]Where the Russian supply modules would only burn up on re-entry after their use. American free enterprise
[/size]at its best ! Get the government out of the way and let the entrepreneurs get involved with their talent.
[/size]And like with the airplane things start to happen , a little nessecity helps things along also .



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[BBF]

I'm all for free enterprise etc. However at what amount of $ is the taxpayer hit with paying this Co. vs. what the Shuttles needed to operate on a per lb of cargo lifted and returned?

[Bear Rider]

The ability to return with cargo is a real big deal. One of the theoretical uses for null-gravity is the growth of large crystal structures like those used in solid state devices, laser, etc. One more step towards the commercialization of space.

[Anna]

http://www.foxnews.com/science/2012/10/14/supersonic-skydiver-hopes-to-break-sound-barrier/?test=latestnews?test=latestnews

Way to go Felix! It was pretty tense around here for about five minutes yesterday? A moment silence went [/size]through the whole town.Even many of the schools and offices stopped what they were doing to [/size]watch this happen.My dad said it reminded him of our landing on the moon the way people were acting. [/size]To me, it reminded me of a time when we were so proud to see things like this happen.Felix Baumgartner,has earned his place in the (Steely Eyed Rocket Man) hall of fame!

[BBF]

Some folks go to great heights to be noticed........................

[Anna]

LOL , yes they do . BBF , did you see where this guy was falling to the ground at over 800 mph ?
Holy cow ! That by itself would give me a really bad hair day just thinking about it .

[BBF]

I wouldn't worry about your hair because it would be gone, just like mine
 
Seriously at that height, you don't really feel the speed you are falling. Somewhere in the back of my noggin I recall the terminal speed of a human body in the normal atmosphere is around 230 mph. Whether that is assuming a pointy stance or flopping all over with arms and hands rotating wildly I have no clue but it would make a difference. Have you seen the vid from  the real rocket man?
 
Who payed for all of this?

[Anna]

I wouldn't worry about your hair because it would be gone, just like mine
 
Seriously at that height, you don't really feel the speed you are falling. Somewhere in the back of my noggin I recall the terminal speed of a human body in the normal atmosphere is around 230 mph. Whether that is assuming a pointy stance or flopping all over with arms and hands rotating wildly I have no clue but it would make a difference. Have you seen the vid from  the real rocket man?
 
Who payed for all of this?

No BBF I haven't . Can you shoot me a link ?  And my hair us so thick it would become a wild looking matted mess ! Oh well it's like that most of the time anyway.