clintonduncanlooking: life: On August 16, 1960, a 32-year-old U.S. Air Force Captain named Joe Kittinger flew in a helium balloon to 102,800 feet (roughly 19 miles) above the Earth … and jumped. His free-fall lasted 4 minutes and 36 seconds. He experienced temperatures approaching minus-100 degrees Fahrenheit. As he fell, Kittinger neared the speed of sound, his pressure-suit-encased body traveling at more than 600 mph before he opened his parachute at 14,000 feet. To this day, he still holds world records for highest parachute jump and longest-ever free-fall. On the 50th anniversary of his jump — an achievement considered among the most technologically significant, and ballsiest, of the 20th century — Joe Kittinger spoke with LIFE.com about the highlights of his storied career… Joe Kittinger: A Legend Looks Back

clintonduncanlooking: life:

On August 16, 1960, a 32-year-old U.S. Air Force Captain named Joe Kittinger flew in a helium balloon to 102,800 feet (roughly 19 miles) above the Earth … and jumped. His free-fall lasted 4 minutes and 36 seconds. He experienced temperatures approaching minus-100 degrees Fahrenheit. As he fell, Kittinger neared the speed of sound, his pressure-suit-encased body traveling at more than 600 mph before he opened his parachute at 14,000 feet. To this day, he still holds world records for highest parachute jump and longest-ever free-fall. On the 50th anniversary of his jump — an achievement considered among the most technologically significant, and ballsiest, of the 20th century — Joe Kittinger spoke with LIFE.com about the highlights of his storied career…

Joe Kittinger: A Legend Looks Back

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  1. lolaintheskywithdiamonds reblogged this from unbeknownstlove and added:
    Woah i heard about this on Skins
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    life: On August 16, 1960, a 32-year-old U.S. Air Force Captain named Joe Kittinger flew in a helium balloon to 102,800...
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    cartanautica: life:...a 32-year-old U.S. Air Force Captain named
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    same issue, Richard Nixon was writing...“national purpose.” I wonder if it involved...
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