1960: Air Force Capt. Joe Kittinger parachutes from an open gondola tethered to a helium balloon from an altitude of 102,800 feet – more than 19 miles. It remains the highest-altitude jump ever attempted.

Kittinger's jump was no stunt but rather part of Project Excelsior, established by the U.S. Air Force to study the problems presented to pilots by high-altitude escape. He'd already made two jumps – from 76,400 feet and 74,600 feet – before strapping it on for the big one.

The Air Force came away with statistical data from his Aug. 16 jump that, even now, makes for eye-opening reading. Wearing a pressurized suit, Kittinger:

Jumped from the gondola at 102,800 feet.

Was in freefall for four-and-a-half minutes and was clocked at a maximum speed of 714 mph, faster than the speed of sound, before deploying his chute at 17,500 feet.

Experienced temperatures as low as minus 94 degrees Fahrenheit during freefall.

Landed, safe and sound, on the floor of the New Mexico desert 13 minutes, 45 seconds after leaving the gondola.

Set several records that are still on the books – highest balloon ascent, highest parachute jump, longest freefall and fastest freefall speed.

But Kittinger, 29 years old at the time of his jump, wasn't through with high places or risk-taking. In 1962, Kittinger, accompanied by a U.S. Navy civilian astronomer, piloted a balloon into the upper atmosphere to 82,200 feet (.pdf), so a high-powered telescope could be used to take a closer look at deep space.

During the Vietnam War, Kittinger returned to combat flying and commanded the 555th "Triple Nickel" Tactical Fighter Squadron, shooting down a MiG-21 in a dogfight. He was subsequently shot down himself and spent 11 months as a prisoner of war at the infamous "Hanoi Hilton."

Since Kittinger's jump, a number of pretenders have announced plans to eclipse the record. So far, no one has.

(Source: U.S. Air Force)

Photo: Capt. Joe Kittinger steps from a balloon-supported gondola at the altitude of 102,800 feet. (U.S. Air Force)

This article first appeared on Wired.com Aug. 16, 2007.

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