Space divers wanted

Dennis McClain-Furmanski, Dalworthington Gardens, TX — Tue, 12 Jun 2007 02:48:57 GMT

"From orbit" and "from 200 miles up" are two very different things. Orbit means falling at a speed that closely matches how fast the Earth is curving away from you. At low Earth orbit, that's around 18,000 MPH. At that speed, when you hit the air, the compression of the air in front of you makes it heat to plasma temperatures. An approximation is the speed in meters per second results in that temperature Kelvin (18000 MPH ~= 8000 m/s = 8000 K, one third more than the Sun's photosphere). Returning from orbit requires shedding that velocity. Retro-rockets with enough power to reduce this speed to nearly zero would weigh a great deal. This is why most reentry is done using aerobraking and heat shields. "Orbital surfing" would require this. On the other hand, there is nothing about a suborbital trajectory that limits it to low altitude. 220 miles is perfectly doable suborbitally -- sounding rockets do it all the time. As long as the forward speed is not high, a person could leave a booster, even if it were traveling upwards still at high speed, and coast up and over apogee, and enjoy quite a ride. Braking from terminal velocity could be done a number of ways (and I'm sure Tumlinson and company have investigated most of them). As for me, I'd prefer to get my kicks in ways that don't have the potential to end in making a crater. I'll wait until they can orbit a pair of small asteroids around each other, and I can jump off one, around the other, and land back on the first at walking speed. I suggest this Three Body Problem Acrobatic High Jump be made part of the first Space Olympics. Alert Bigelow to the possibility of building the orbital spectators' stands.

Space divers wanted

Ken Hollinger — Tue, 12 Jun 2007 06:23:31 GMT

Sign me up!

Space divers wanted

Tim Watanabe — Tue, 12 Jun 2007 09:00:47 GMT

It's about time people started pursuing records like this again. This sort of thing brings back that "right stuff" feeling in people that inspires the go-getters to get going, hang it out on the line, and push the outside of the envelope like the old buzzcuts used to say. But these companies sure are taking their sweet time getting going. Four years since the X-Prize, and not a single other manned flight. Has anything really changed, or are the same people who did nothing but talk just talking louder these days?

Space divers wanted

Anon — Tue, 12 Jun 2007 11:44:57 GMT

He came up with the idea? I know a few Sci-Fi works that had this idea a long time ago. More accurately he is the first to have a shot at pulling this concept off.

Space divers wanted

eric gliniewicz paducah kentucky — Tue, 12 Jun 2007 11:49:47 GMT

As long as i dont burst into flames during re-entry and can take my cam corder ill do it!!! Just as a note, if its to be filmed, i might be talked into the flame thing.

Space divers wanted

Logan V., Ithaca, New York — Tue, 12 Jun 2007 11:59:28 GMT

As an amatuer skydiver I find this idea truley amazing. True I have only started my skydiving facination, but the images from 120,000 feet are truley breath taking. I could only imagine the feeling it would give to jump from that altitude, possibly life changing. Sign me up! I will be a lab rat for this test!

Space divers wanted

Ed — Tue, 12 Jun 2007 12:35:21 GMT

Rick ripped this off Canadian Arrow. It's their concept. I remember the "Space Diving" concept being talked about and developed by Arrow. What happend to Canadian Arrow? Their was several press stories about their new concept back in the Xprize days. I am surprised Armadillo are involved.

Space divers wanted

Keith Cochran — Tue, 12 Jun 2007 13:34:07 GMT

This was shown as a sport on Star Trek: Voyager years ago. I wonder which came first...Voyager or this guy's idea.

Space divers wanted

Edward J. Butterworth, Winston-Salem, North Carolina — Tue, 12 Jun 2007 13:53:04 GMT

In one sense, it's already been done. One of the Mercury astronauts (I don't recall which) said of the Mercury capsule, "You don't climb into it, you put it on." It seems this project may approach that line between something in which you ride and something you wear.

Space divers wanted

Ted Bundy — Tue, 12 Jun 2007 14:01:41 GMT

"Tumlinson said that the space diving idea actually came to him first, ....." ........Give me break ....he didn't think of anything first. This has already been achieved in the first incarnation by Joe Kittinger and a french guy has just redone it, or is preparing to.

Space divers wanted

Don McDunnah — Tue, 12 Jun 2007 15:22:10 GMT

Honestly, what a waste of time and money. Please just invest your time and energy into developing a one unit washer and dryer that folds clothes. Or better yet, a TV that recognizes voice commands - that way i can loose my remote control and not care....

Space divers wanted

Alan Sheets, Loveland CO — Tue, 12 Jun 2007 15:28:35 GMT

Once reentry ballutes are perfected by the Russians, we'll be seeing a lot of this. I think Mr. Boyle had a previous log on this (the ballutes) subject.

Or, if you want to go into the realm of fiction, look up William Shatner's references to orbital skydiving in his Star Trek novels. We could call the event the James T Kirk Memorial Orbital Skydiving Competition.

Space divers wanted

John Doe — Tue, 12 Jun 2007 15:33:41 GMT

This is nothing new the Air Force had sky divers jump from "near orbit" in the 1950's to test parachuets for space capsules.

Space divers wanted

John M. Duffen SF CA. — Tue, 12 Jun 2007 16:48:48 GMT

Sound like it wouls be total blast. I seen the films of that dive from 102,000 feet. And also heard that he was coming down at 650 mph. Before getting into thicker air.

Space divers wanted

Rob Johnson, Rockville, MD — Tue, 12 Jun 2007 16:54:57 GMT

It sounds like fun but I won't hold my breath. The technical requirements and cost are way beyond reach of the typical weekend skydiver and I don't see that going down in the future.

Space divers wanted

firecracker canada — Tue, 12 Jun 2007 18:20:52 GMT

DR. Joe Kittinger,was a space pioneer, advanced in matters of aviation physiology. His high altitude jump,was the culmination of many facets of the body in flight. It seems that some interested parties' view is somewhat ho-hum when speaking about Kissingers" HAJ.The science required to control a re-entering body is mind blasting.make a list check it twice,then start all over again.

Space divers wanted

Ed, Toronto, Canada — Tue, 12 Jun 2007 18:38:51 GMT

"Space activist Rick Tumlinson's latest venture aims to blend the thrills of spaceflight with the chills of skydiving, to come up with what he sees as the ultimate extreme sport: space diving."

Rick merely ripped this off from Canadian Arrow. They coined the phrase "space diving" years ago during the X-prize as a post X-prize use for their rocket. Canadian Arrow was developing the concept. It is nice to see al ot of interest in this, but Rick go get yourself an orginal idea!

Give credit where credit is due. "Space Diving" is not a new Rick Tumlinson product.

Space divers wanted

J. McCright, La Plata, MD — Tue, 12 Jun 2007 19:08:38 GMT

Maybe Virgin Atlantic will eventully let you go up in SpaceShipTwo and then float out of the hatch at the top of the parabola...half a ride for half the price. Maybe even surf atop the plane on the way back down! Hang ten..err, a hundred and ten thousand!

Space divers wanted

Chesley V. Morton, Atlanta, Georgia — Tue, 12 Jun 2007 20:14:35 GMT

Sometimes reality has a way of imitating art. Years ago, Ron Butler of the Atlanta Radio Theatre Company (www.ARTC.org)wrote a radio play about this very subject, it was an episode in his RORY RAMMER series with the title of THE METEOR SURFERS. ARTC performed Meteor Surfers at the DragonCon convention in Atlanta, around 2003, I believe. I never thought I would see this fantastic idea proposed by such sober folks as we see here. You just never know...

Space divers wanted

Eric — Tue, 12 Jun 2007 20:55:01 GMT

Man I do this in a heartbeat I am single and If I die I die.

Space divers wanted

Space surfing Cadet — Tue, 12 Jun 2007 21:14:17 GMT

Amazing what the American pioneering spirit of enterprise and technology can do in contrast to a the lumbering inefficient NASA. I love to hear about these pioneers. They give us hope, and exciting new challenges. The world would be a happier place if the media reported this type of story more often. "To dream the impossible dream"!

Space divers wanted

Justin Galeano — Tue, 12 Jun 2007 22:00:23 GMT

I think that all the modern scientists or w/e this guy is are just messing with nature way too much y cant we just leave things the way they are and i know this is totaly irrelevant but why cant we just stop trying to reproduce animals and such that went extinct many years ago? Eart is going to be a global Jurassic Park before u know it.. and ill be there to say i told you so.

Space divers wanted

Wendy Fontenot, Canyon Country, CA — Tue, 12 Jun 2007 22:05:04 GMT

People are ALWAYS looking for a "better thrill than the last". I have only done one tandem jump in my life (it was a birthday gift from a friend, as I couldn't affors it) and I would certainly love to be one of the chosen few to try this leap of fate. Where do I sign up? Or when do I start? Thank you for the vision for now and one day, I hope it becomes reality. Talk about an adrenaline rush. Yahoooooooooo!

Space divers wanted

benjamin shoop — Tue, 12 Jun 2007 22:20:49 GMT

please send nasa a message and tell them i will try out the spacediving if they cant get anyone to do it or lookin for people to do it. thanks

Space divers wanted

Brian, PDX, OR — Tue, 12 Jun 2007 22:55:49 GMT

If you were to jump from a platform at 120k ft at any orbital speed, you would still start your acceleration from 0/MPH, not from the orbital speed of the platform. Also, because you would be falling with an angle of attack at near vertical, you would not compress as much air on your leading edges, so the air would not become plasma and cook you. It is the compression of air that heats the atmosphere in front of the shuttle, not really the friction. Additionally, the compression would be further reduced because of the air density at that altitude is so low, in fact, Col. Kittinger reported that he tumbled most of the way down due to the lack of air resistance.

Space divers wanted

Scott Baker, Fresno, CA — Tue, 12 Jun 2007 23:16:33 GMT

Sounds awesome. Not sure if I would do it on a regular basis, but for a truly special occassion (such as a terminal disease) I could see risking quite a bit for the ulimate thrill ride. How soon before amusement parks start developing a 'simulator' along these lines??

Space divers wanted

steve smyth lynn ma — Tue, 12 Jun 2007 23:49:13 GMT

I was going to pass on commenting here, because Tumlinson represents everything wrong with this effort...space activist...c'mon Alan...this guy has jumped on more bandwagons than...you name it...wasted cyberspace.

When I see that many more readers think the same thing, I love it.

Nice to see that Folks are paying attention.

Space divers wanted

R. J. Swaine RN Central Islip, NY 11722 — Wed, 13 Jun 2007 00:00:45 GMT

I'll go ! USPA #C-34894

Space divers wanted

Diver Dan, newport, OR — Wed, 13 Jun 2007 00:24:02 GMT

What it sounds like to me is that there will be aspects of skydiving to this sport which will be exhilarating but also life support system components more closely related to scuba diving which really need to be worked out in order for this type of trip to get underway and truly be safe for the masses or at least somewhat safe. As far as parachuting from orbit, I dont see it happening in the near future. I think the space industry will have to be pioneered a bit more before a "sport" like this can even gain any momentum. With that being said, sign me up please.

Space divers wanted

Ron Butler, Powder Springs GA — Wed, 13 Jun 2007 00:53:53 GMT

It’s called ‘Meteor surfing’:

http://artcpodcast.org/index.php?post_id=125830

Space divers wanted

Darwin Miller, Brayton, Iowa — Wed, 13 Jun 2007 01:22:31 GMT

How far is this from Star Wars?

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Tony Webb Wilmington, NC — Wed, 13 Jun 2007 01:26:05 GMT

Rick, contact Red Bull and let's have an international contest to select some possible candidates -- least do some Halo jumps to test the waters. What a great idea -- a Halo to Space Diving Reality TV Show. My idea!!! :)

About "space diving" -- having an idea is like Buzz Aldrin's idea to do the space tourism lottery. Talk to those who have stayed the course over the years and they will show you the action and not the cheap talk to tell you what can be done or not done. ;-)

Space divers wanted

AQ, Katy,Texas — Wed, 13 Jun 2007 01:49:57 GMT

I think this is both impractical and dangerous. The costs will most likely be very high. So I recommend that middle class don't hold their breaths.

Space divers wanted

Tom — Wed, 13 Jun 2007 02:52:10 GMT

Robert Heinlein, the sci-fi writer, wrote Starship Troopers in the 1950s. The troopers were shot from the orbiting battleship in an egg shaped reentry capsule that peeled away after orbital decelleration. The troopers were in a power-armor suit and they fell the remaining distance in the midst of decoys and chaffe to confuse the enemy targeting systems. The movie did not incorporate this technology. In the book, the POV character takes you with him on the ride to the surface from the orbiting battleship. For him, it was a hell of a ride into combat.

Space divers wanted

Curtis Harper, Mason, Ohio — Wed, 13 Jun 2007 04:21:23 GMT

I think it's a great idea, no matter whether Tumlinson's just trying to drum up publicity or whatnot. I can tell from many of the other folks comments that quite a few other people agree. I think that no matter whether Tumlinson is serious, pulls it off, fails, or just abandons the whole idea, is immaterial if it gets other peple to consider trying to break Kittenger's record. If Mr. Clark is truly on board with the project I would be inclined to beleive that he would be quite serious in seeing this project go forward and succeed as I'm sure valuable scientific information would be gained, even in failures, that would have practical applications for our brave men and women who risk their lives, whatever their reasons for doing so, who venture into space. I beleive it is mankinds destiny, and an urgent necessity, to master space travel no matter the cost. Until then, all of our eggs (humankind) are in one basket and if you are an informed person you know that there are many scenarios that could easily add mankind to the long list of extinct species which have come and gone. It's part of humankinds nature to explore, push boundarys, to be always curious and think, "I wonder what would happen if I did this ?!!", (read: "The Technology Trap / 1979 / by Leo J. Moser). If nothing else, I applaud the idea, no matter it's origin. I love Capt. Kirks opening line to the Star Trek show," To venture where no man has gone before". I'm with Diver Dan, sign me up(once you get all the bugs worked out)!!

Space divers wanted

Chuck LaMonica Bloomingdale, IL — Wed, 13 Jun 2007 12:24:15 GMT

Hmm . . . at least people are thinking about the possibilities. It's a good sign.

Space divers wanted

John Sheff, Cambridge, MA — Wed, 13 Jun 2007 14:19:07 GMT

Wasn't there supposed to be an attempt last year for a Frenchman, Michel Fournier, to make a supersonic free fall from about 130,000 feet (40 kilometers)above Saskatchewan? Does anyone know what happened to that attempt?

Space divers wanted

Guillermo Gonzalez — Wed, 13 Jun 2007 15:10:05 GMT

As someone else stated, Sub-orbital speeds are not a problem, there is not much aerodynamic heating of the surface. Orbital speeds are another matter. However, you can deal with this in a number of ways, as someone else stated, you can use a ballute (Balloon - Parachute) to increase the drag, and the surface area which will be exposed to it, thus spreading out the heat load over a larger surface.

Space divers wanted

Robert Nachtegall, Grand Rapids, MI — Thu, 14 Jun 2007 12:08:38 GMT

On a related note, check out the sci fi story "Trajectories" written by Jeffrey D Kooistra and published several years ago in Issue#1 of Artemis (though I think it first appeared in Analog a few years prior). It features the 'suicide orbit,' or the Moon version of a bungee jump. Basically, the rider begins a hyperbolic orbit that takes him as close to the surface as he dares before swooping him back into space. It posits a fun idea for those interested in extreme feats on the moon.

Space divers wanted

Alan Sheets, Loveland CO — Fri, 15 Jun 2007 15:50:49 GMT

Robert Nachtegall -- Now that sounds like a lot of fun, too... but is more reliant on technology (for proper trajectory and speed calculations) than orbital skydiving would (still reliant on technology, but you still have to land on-target).

Space divers wanted

Greg Porter, Marshall, WI — Sat, 16 Jun 2007 16:58:00 GMT

Yeah, I'm game. Sign me up! I've always wanted to be an astronaut and that's probably the closest I'll get in my lifetime. Joe Kittenger is the man but that was many years ago and records were made to be broken.USPA B-28056 (254 jumps).

Space divers wanted

Trent Waddington — Fri, 22 Jun 2007 03:07:33 GMT

At what point does a "life support system" become a capsule?

Space divers wanted

Sarah Bottomley, Parkesburg, PA — Fri, 22 Jun 2007 06:09:01 GMT

I definitely agree with Diver Dan and Alan Sheets. I would literally "jump" at the chance to dive from 120,000 feet. I only hope I could somehow afford it.

Space divers wanted

ian anderson , langley , BC . — Mon, 25 Jun 2007 06:05:27 GMT

i want on the first trip , i so want to try this .
i hope you guys get on this soon.

Space divers wanted

AClopton — Mon, 23 Jul 2007 18:40:18 GMT

I see a lot of wasted money that could be used for real problems, not for "ultimate entertainment". How many people would really "Benefit" from this? Sure it would be a great "Scientific Achievement" but finding a cure for AIDS, Cancer, Global Warming would do these brillant people more justice.

Space divers wanted

Kyung Rak Choi, Arcadia,Calif. — Mon, 06 Aug 2007 09:54:07 GMT

Let's me know all about your plans and procedures regarding the spacediving project. For many years,I worked for NASA projects such as Space Shuttle and Cassini Spacecraft. I know all about the bailout system of the Shuttle crews. I will free-fall and test it if you can take me up there 115k-120k ft thru a rocket or Helium baloon and also if you can provide me a safe survival mechanism. Many jumps above 22k ft already done and my researches done 25 years ago. I am ready to do it again when u are ready. USPA D-3096.

Space divers wanted

JONATHAN MASSEY, DALLAS, TX — Tue, 14 Aug 2007 00:10:44 GMT

JONATHAN MASSEY -- PLEASE DON'T TEASE ME! 120K/FT. WOULD BE INCREDIBLE, THE 328K/FT. JUMP SOUNDS LIKE EVEN MORE FUN, HUMAN FIREBALL OR NO, I'LL SIGN A WAIVER. SIGN ME UP, I'D DO ANYTHING FOR THE CHANCE, MARVIN THE MARTIAN CAN FIRE ME OUT OF A BIG NASA SPACE CANNON ON THE MOON IF THEY WANT TO, IN FACT IF YOU GUYS WORK THIS OUT AND I'LL NEVER GO TO SIX FLAGS AGAIN. I SHOWED EVERYONE I KNOW THE ARTICLE IN POPULAR SCIENCE MAGAZINE AND TOLD THEM I WAS GONNA VOLUNTEER TO BE A LAB RAT AND THEY ALL GAVE ME THE SAME "NOT IN YOUR LIFETIME" RESPONSE (EVEN MY MOTHER) BUT I'VE GOT FAITH IN ANYBODY WITH THE SLIGHTEST DESIRE TO TRY SOMETHING LIKE THIS REGAURDLESS OF THE CHANCES OF SUCCESS. DOES'NT SEEM UNREACHABLE TO ME BY ANY MEANS. GLAD TO SEE THE ORBITAL OUTFITTERS GROUP GO COMPLETELY HARDCORE! YOU HAVE MY EMAIL NOW SO I'M GOING TO HOUND YOU UNTIL YOU TURN ME INTO THE HUMAN TORCH!

-"A LITTLE NONSENSE NOW AND THEN IS CHERISHED BY EVEN THE WISEST OF MEN"
- WILLY WONKA (/J.D.)

Space divers wanted

jeren, dallas, TX — Tue, 14 Aug 2007 05:01:17 GMT

this statement is in support of Jon Massey. an online petition if you will. this may just be what he was born for... other than being a sincere friend. if it's seriousness and professionalism you require, look no further. a sense of humor and a commanding personality that only he can provide will be what has a project like this jumping from the pages of text and into the hearts of people. to pull off a feat of imagination and stretch possibility, you need a person armed with imagination and determination bigger than previously seen.

Space divers wanted

Cara D'ville TX — Tue, 14 Aug 2007 22:58:55 GMT

In support of Jonathan Massey -- I agree with Jeren, Jon was born for this. He has no fear and is willing to try anything once. Sign him up!

Space divers wanted

Thomas Boyd, NYC — Thu, 13 Sep 2007 16:30:04 GMT

Sign me up

Space divers wanted

Anthony Olson, Otter Lake, MI — Sat, 15 Sep 2007 22:19:57 GMT

I am an ordinary college student from Saginaw Valley State University, and I just want to say that I would be more than happy to answer the call of being shot up in a rocket and coming back down in a flame of glory, Sign me up!!!

Space divers wanted

Chelsea Ferreira Truckee C.a — Fri, 21 Sep 2007 04:52:27 GMT

id do anything in the world to do this

Space divers wanted

Rickey Herndon, Abita Springs, Louisiana — Fri, 02 Nov 2007 21:36:14 GMT

My friend and I would love to do this and 1 question: If I live do I get to keep the cool suit?

Space divers wanted

john smith, seattle washington — Tue, 06 Nov 2007 05:41:20 GMT

Regardless of whoever came up with the idea, the person who makes it feasible first deserves the credit. Why? Because its a whole lot easier to write science fiction than to expand science. I think this is a wonderful idea. It may sound impossible or dangerous, but so was flight considered 100 years ago.

Space divers wanted

Mani Chauhan, Lonson, UK — Sun, 11 Nov 2007 12:16:28 GMT

I wanna so go on his trip. If there is one thing I would not mind giving up my life for is the pursuit of human conquest of space. Bring it on !!

Space divers wanted

Ben King, Oxford, England — Thu, 21 Feb 2008 13:21:33 GMT

sign me up, pleaseee.

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Justin Hartwell, Palmyra, Va. — Mon, 17 Mar 2008 17:54:01 GMT

I would love to do this. If you need any people to test, try, attempt, or do anything with this program; I will be more than happy to do it.

Space divers wanted

Dan C- New York City- New York — Tue, 18 Mar 2008 13:45:57 GMT

Sign Me Up!
I need to do stuff like this in my lifetime!

Space divers wanted

Big Matty D — Tue, 27 May 2008 13:14:21 GMT

I wonder if i could pay extra to burn up in the atmosphere... that would be hot!