A Fascinating Felix Film - 05/11/12
Last night’s documentary on BBC2 about Felix Baumgartner’s leap to earth from the edges of space was thoroughly engaging and I recommend that you make an effort to catch up with it on the iPlayer if you missed it.
The logistical efforts to facilitate the jump were incredible, as was the money spent over the three/four years taken to get Baumgartner to the point of take-off.
Baumgartner’s jump was the conclusion of a significant project of the sort that has never been seen in the US, outside of the auspices of NASA - in effect, Red Bull privately funded its own space programme. Everything from the design and creation of the pod that got him to 128,100 feet, to the manufacture and testing of his bespoke pressure suit, through to his personal training and preparation was fascinating.
Baumgartner didn’t come across as the kind of borderline suicidal, adrenaline junky, lunatic that you might think would attempt something so extreme. Instead he came across as someone with undoubted skills and drive but with some genuine fear to overcome as well. Baumgartner had to deal with his own personal demons in order to function in his pressure suit and get his head in the right place to make the leap. He clearly had to contemplate his own mortality and accept the risks!
As I write, my Poppy Appeal wrist bands are on my right wrist, and a poppy is in my jacket lapel. Armistice day is approaching, a time when we think of, and give thanks to, all the brave men that died in the two world wars: I think that Felix showed the kind of spirit that must have existed within the fighter pilots and bomber crews that took to the skies knowing that there was a high possibility they wouldn’t come home. The knowledge didn’t stop them flying, they had to find a way to handle it and get on with the job!
Back to the documentary: Even during his ascent to space, Baumgartner had to deal with some last minute worries around equipment functioning properly. His bravery under pressure (the mental kind, not the suit) was incredible.
When it came to making the jump, Felix was obviously ‘in the zone’; there was no hesitation or sign of fear, he just manoeuvred himself to a stand, waved/saluted and pitched forward!
During the free-fall, Felix was in a flat spin that had real potential to kill him but he corrected that without suffering a red, or a black, out and continued to earth and made a faultless landing.
All in all the achievements were nothing short of astounding!
Last week I waxed lyrical about the new Bond movie, Skyfall – it contains some great stunts and a lot of special effects. Baumgartner’s efforts involved some sky falling but where Bond is pretend, Baumgartner is a real life hero!
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The logistical efforts to facilitate the jump were incredible, as was the money spent over the three/four years taken to get Baumgartner to the point of take-off.
Baumgartner’s jump was the conclusion of a significant project of the sort that has never been seen in the US, outside of the auspices of NASA - in effect, Red Bull privately funded its own space programme. Everything from the design and creation of the pod that got him to 128,100 feet, to the manufacture and testing of his bespoke pressure suit, through to his personal training and preparation was fascinating.
Baumgartner didn’t come across as the kind of borderline suicidal, adrenaline junky, lunatic that you might think would attempt something so extreme. Instead he came across as someone with undoubted skills and drive but with some genuine fear to overcome as well. Baumgartner had to deal with his own personal demons in order to function in his pressure suit and get his head in the right place to make the leap. He clearly had to contemplate his own mortality and accept the risks!
As I write, my Poppy Appeal wrist bands are on my right wrist, and a poppy is in my jacket lapel. Armistice day is approaching, a time when we think of, and give thanks to, all the brave men that died in the two world wars: I think that Felix showed the kind of spirit that must have existed within the fighter pilots and bomber crews that took to the skies knowing that there was a high possibility they wouldn’t come home. The knowledge didn’t stop them flying, they had to find a way to handle it and get on with the job!
Back to the documentary: Even during his ascent to space, Baumgartner had to deal with some last minute worries around equipment functioning properly. His bravery under pressure (the mental kind, not the suit) was incredible.
When it came to making the jump, Felix was obviously ‘in the zone’; there was no hesitation or sign of fear, he just manoeuvred himself to a stand, waved/saluted and pitched forward!
During the free-fall, Felix was in a flat spin that had real potential to kill him but he corrected that without suffering a red, or a black, out and continued to earth and made a faultless landing.
All in all the achievements were nothing short of astounding!
Last week I waxed lyrical about the new Bond movie, Skyfall – it contains some great stunts and a lot of special effects. Baumgartner’s efforts involved some sky falling but where Bond is pretend, Baumgartner is a real life hero!
Reviews and Recommendations Home
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