RED BULL STRATOS
Frequently Asked Questions
January 2010
CONTENTS
WHAT, pages 4-8
Q. What is Red Bull Stratos?
Q. Where did the name “Red Bull Stratos” come from?
Q. Can the mission be quantified in terms of numbers?
Q. How did this mission get started?
Q. How dangerous is this mission?
WHY, pages 9-10
Q. What are the objectives of the mission?
Q. What kind of data will be examined?
Q. What is the value of this mission?
WHEN, page 11-11
Q. When will the final jump take place?
WHERE, pages 11-11
Q. Where will the final launch take place?
Q.
Why
is
this
mission
being
conducted
in
North
America?
WHO, pages 12-14
Q. Who is Felix Baumgartner, and why is he the person
undertaking this mission?
Q.
What
are
some
of
Felix
Baumgartner’s
past
achievements?
Q. Who holds the current world records that Felix
Baumgartner is planning to surpass?
2
Q. Who will communicate with Felix Baumgartner during
the mission?
Q. Felix Baumgartner is an ambassador for the Wings for
Life spinal cord research foundation, where can I
learn more about this organization?
Q. Who is working with Felix Baumgartner to make this
mission happen?
HOW, pages 15-19
Q, In a nutshell, how will the mission be carried out?
Q. How is Felix Baumgartner preparing for this mission?
Q. What kinds of tests will be conducted before the
mission launches?
Q. Why does Felix Baumgartner have to wear a special
pressure suit?
Q. What type of material is the high-altitude balloon
made of?
Q. What is the anticipated schedule for launch day?
Q.
Is
there
an
on-site
base
camp
to
control
the
operation?
Q. Who will verify Felix Baumgartner’s records?
VIEWING/BROADCAST/MEDIA, page 19
Q. Can members of the public watch the mission on-site?
Q. Will this mission be broadcast live?
FURTHER INFORMATION, pages 20
3
WHAT…
Q: WHAT IS RED BULL STRATOS?
A: Red Bull Stratos, created by Red Bull and Felix
Baumgartner, is a mission to the edge of space. Supported
by a team of world-leading scientists, engineers and
physicians, Felix will launch a high altitude balloon to
ascend to a height of around 120,000 feet.
Once at this
height he will jump in freefall in an attempt to become
the first person to break the speed of sound unassisted.
The data captured by the Red Bull Stratos team in
preparation for and execution of the mission promises new
standards in safety for all who seek to expand the
boundaries of human flight.
Q: WHERE DID THE NAME “RED BULL STRATOS” COME FROM?
A: Red Bull Stratos is a mission to the stratosphere –
“Stratos” is quite simply an abbreviation of that term.
Q. CAN THE MISSION BE QUANTIFIED IN TERMS OF NUMBERS?
A. As the primary objective of Red Bull Statos is to deliver
valuable
information
advancement,
it’s
for
impossible
medical
to
mission in terms of mere numbers.
and
quantify
scientific
the
overall
However, what we can
highlight are records that the project hopes to achieve as
a result of the final jump.
4
Felix Baumgartner is aiming to set four records – all of
which have stood for nearly 50 years – and in the process
set a new record for all time …
-
The first human in history to break the speed of
sound in freefall, simultaneously setting a new speed
record for fastest freefall: expected to exceed Mach
1.0, likely more than 690miles per hour. (Current
record
for
fastest
freefall:
614
miles
per
hour,
equivalent to Mach 0.9. The record for breaking the
speed
of
sound
in
freefall
has
never
before
been
successfully established.)
-
Altitude
record
for
freefall:
expected
minimum
120,000
of
feet.
(Current record: 102,800 feet)
-
Altitude record for manned balloon flight: expected
minimum of 120,000 feet. (Current record: 113,740
feet)
-
Time record for longest freefall: expected duration
of approximately 5 minutes, 35 seconds. (Current
record: 4 minutes, 36 seconds)
And to put such extreme figures into context …
5
-
The altitude: a minimum of 120,000 feet. Felix will
jump from the capsule when he’s around 23 miles above
Earth’s surface – that’s about four times higher than
a commercial airplane’s cruise altitude.
-
The speed: in excess of Mach 1.0. At around 35
seconds into his flight, Felix will become the first
person known to break the sound barrier with the
human body (without a vehicle). In other words, he’ll
likely be traveling over 690 miles per hour, speeding
downward at more than 11 miles per minute. In
comparison, a Boeing 747-400 airplane cruises at
about 567 mph, and a skydiver falling in the
familiar, belly-down position is moving at
approximately 120 mph.
-
The temperature: minus 47 degrees Fahrenheit (at
least). Temperatures rise through the stratosphere;
so when Felix jumps, the temperature will probably be
a balmy minus 10 degrees Fahrenheit. But as Felix
descends, he (and his equipment) may have to
withstand temperatures as low as minus 47 degrees
Fahrenheit for a minute or so.
-
The time: approximately 5 minutes, 30 seconds of
freefall: Although he’ll move faster than the speed
of sound, from a height of 120,000 feet Felix hopes
6
to set a new time record by achieving the longest
freefall ever to return to Earth.
Q: HOW DID THIS MISSION GET STARTED?
A. In 2005, Austrian skydiver Felix Baumgartner called an
American friend, Art Thompson, an engineer, to ask him to
collaborate on the mission that would become known as Red
Bull Stratos. Felix and Art realized that the mission –
jumping from a greater height than any human before, and
surpassing the speed of sound protected by nothing more
than a pressure suit – would require long-term dedication
and a scientific approach.
They took their proposal to
Red Bull owner Dietrich Mateschitz, who, as an aviation
enthusiast himself (Dietrich is not only a licensed pilot
but also conceived the Red Bull Air Race series), was
quick
to
Dietrich
aerospace
see
the
realized
potential
that
by
benefits
making
technology, Red Bull
of
this
would
be
the
mission.
commitment
able to
to
offer
contributions to the existing knowledge base that could
help to save the lives of future aviators and astronauts.
With the confirmation that Red Bull would be an active
participant and driver in the effort, Felix and Art chose
the scientific and medical team that could carry out such
a project, and mission preparations got underway.
Q: HOW DANGEROUS IS THE MISSION?
A: The edge of space is a hostile environment, and Felix is
literally
stepping
into the
unknown.
Success is by no
7
means guaranteed; over the past 50 years several people
have died trying to surpass Joe Kittinger’s records. That
said, the mission team of experts and consultants ranks
among
the
very
best
in
the
world
and
was
carefully
selected to anticipate and manage each detail along the
way. Long-term preparation, the best equipment and the
most
innovative
technology,
not
to
mention
years
of
training and experience on the most elite missions the
world has known, make this project achievable and minimize
the risks as much as possible.
8
WHY…
Q: WHAT ARE THE OBJECTIVES OF THE MISSION?
A: The goal of Felix Baumgartner – and everyone on the Red
Bull Stratos team – is to make a significant step forward
in
the
exploration
atmosphere,
of
benefiting
the
human,
outer
layers
medical
of
and
Earth’s
scientific
interests.
In developing a program and medical protocols to overcome
the current limits of surviving a jump from the edge of
space, the team expects to simulate a full-scale emergency
escape operation of the kind that could be used for a team
of astronauts who need to egress from their craft at a
critically
high
altitude.
Ultimately,
this
collective
information may help programs to develop new, lifesaving
procedures for astronauts and aviators.
Q: WHAT KIND OF DATA WILL BE EXAMINED?
A: To document the feasibility of freefall from a minimum
altitude of 120,000 feet, the team will assess the effects
– on the human body and on support equipment – of rapid
transition
in
transonic
and
speeds:
then
accelerating
supersonic
from
subsonic
velocity,
and
to
then
decelerating back from Mach levels to subsonic speeds.
Considering possible eventualities, the Red Bull Stratos
team will conduct research to produce new protocols for
prevention
and
treatment
of
certain
altitude-related
9
disorders.
They
will
also
examine
data
to
determine
optimal methods for controlling body position in descent,
to avoid dangers like spinning and tumbling that can have
severe
physiological
effects
and
cause
parachute
malfunction.
Q: WHAT IS THE VALUE OF THIS MISSION?
A: A half-century has elapsed since Joe Kittinger’s historic
descent laid the groundwork for the development of space
programs,
yet
remarkably
few
protocols
have
been
established for high-altitude freefall. For astronauts and
aviators, including members of the public who will someday
engage in the commercial space flights on the horizon, Red
Bull
Stratos
provides
a
real-world
test
of
medical
protocols and a protective ensemble (pressurized capsule,
enhanced full-pressure suit and helmet) that hold promise
for a new benchmark in safety.
Further, Felix’s courage, and the skills and achievements
of
the
entire
inspiration
and
Red
Bull
education
Stratos
for
team,
the
can
general
serve
as
public,
especially young people.
10
WHEN…
Q: WHEN WILL THE FINAL JUMP TAKE PLACE?
A: The final jump for the record attempt is scheduled to
take place in spring/summer 2010. The mission is highly
dependent
weather
on
could
wind
and
prompt
weather
delays
or
conditions,
a
so
postponement
adverse
of
the
launch.
WHERE…
Q: WHERE WILL THE FINAL JUMP TAKE PLACE?
A: Testing is taking place in numerous locations, and it has
been confirmed that the final jump will occur in North
America (exact location to be announced as the launch date
nears).
Q. WHY IS THIS MISSION BEING CONDUCTED IN NORTH AMERICA?
A: The Red Bull Stratos mission is being conducted in North
America
because
it
offers
an
optimal
combination
of
suitable launch locations and local experts with extensive
background knowledge particular to such an endeavor. Also,
and although the mission team is international in scope,
many of the participants and organizations collaborating
on the effort are based in North America.
11
WHO…
Q:
WHO
IS
FELIX
BAUMGARTNER,
AND
WHY
IS
HE
THE
PERSON
UNDERTAKING THIS MISSION?
A:
Austrian native Felix Baumgartner may be one of the most
innately talented and fully dedicated aviation athletes in
the world. Best known for his winged freefall crossing of
the
English
combination
Channel
of
exceptionally
in
traits:
fit,
professionalism
2003,
he
and
with
is
he
a
Felix
possesses
courageous,
blends
a
relentless
a
reliable
rare
and
high
degree
of
search
for
new
adventures. It’s the unique combination of these skills –
teamed with his experience, athleticism and ability to
think and react quickly in difficult situations – that has
made him respected in the elite enclave of professional
B.A.S.E. jumpers and skydivers.
He is also a licensed
helicopter and balloon pilot.
Q: WHAT ARE SOME OF FELIX BAUMGARTNER’S PAST ACHIEVEMENTS?
A:
Particularly
notable
among
first
winged
Felix
Baumgartner’s
freefall
(unmotorized)
achievements are:

completing
the
crossing of the English Channel (from Calais to Dover);

jumping from the PETRONAS Twin Towers in Kuala Lumpur,
Malaysia (1,479 feet, then the highest building in the
world);

launching the first B.A.S.E. jump from the Christ the
Redeemer
statue
in
Rio
de
Janeiro,
Brazil
(a
12
terrifyingly
low
95
feet,
requiring
split-second
timing);

making the first jump off what is currently the world’s
tallest building, 101 Tower in Taipei (1,667 feet).
Q:
WHO
HOLDS
THE
CURRENT
WORLD
RECORDS
THAT
FELIX
BAUMGARTNER IS PLANNING TO SURPASS?
A:
No one in history has successfully broken the sound
barrier in freefall.
As for the other records: in August
1960, the U.S. Air Force project “Excelsior” reached its
apex after years of research and testing, as Captain Joe
Kittinger jumped from a balloon at 102,800 feet (altitude
record
for
manned
balloon
flight,
altitude
record
for
freefall), reached the speed of 614 mph (speed record for
freefall), and sustained his freefall for 4 minutes, 36
seconds (time record for longest freefall).
Joe still holds three of those four records: however, the
current altitude record for manned balloon flight was set
in May 1961, by Commander Malcolm D. Ross and Lieutenant
Commander Victor A. Prather, Jr. of the U.S. Navy, at
113,740
feet.
Red
Bull
Stratos
is
proud
to
that
Joe
Kittinger serves a vital role on the mission team.
13
Q. WHO WILL COMMUNICATE WITH FELIX BAUMGARTNER DURING THE
MISSION?
A.
To
minimize
distractions
and
ensure
that
all
instructions are crystal clear, radio communications with
Felix
will
be
channelled
through
a
single
capsule
communications (“capcom”) designee at the Mission Control
Center.
Fittingly,
the Red Bull
Stratos
capcom
is
Joe
Kittinger, the only man ever to have experienced anything
close to what Felix Baumgartner will encounter.
Q: FELIX BAUMGARTNER IS AN AMBASSADOR FOR THE WINGS FOR LIFE
SPINAL CORD RESEARCH FOUNDATION. WHERE CAN I LEARN MORE
ABOUT THIS ORGANIZATION?
A:
With the cognizance that spinal cord injury can affect
anyone, anywhere – not only persons in extreme endeavors –
Felix
Baumgartner
proponent
and
information
surveys,
supporter
about
organization,
and
has
the
including
donation
for
of
many
years
Wings
for
privately
research
and
been
Life.
funded,
projects,
grant
an
News
avid
and
nonprofit
trials
opportunities,
and
is
available at http://www.wingsforlife.com.
Q.
WHO
IS
WORKING
WITH
FELIX
BAUMGARTNER
TO
MAKE
THIS
MISSION HAPPEN?
A: (See separate Mission Team document and individual bios
for more on Felix Baumgartner, Joe Kittinger, and other
team members.)
14
HOW…
Q. IN A NUTSHELL, HOW WILL THE MISSION BE CARRIED OUT?
A:
The mission will be conducted using a massive, high-
altitude
scientific
balloon
(bigger
than
an
American
football stadium) and a pressurized capsule. At altitude
the capsule will be depressurized and Felix Baumgartner
will exit the vessel in a specially modified full-pressure
suit.
During freefall it is anticipated that Felix will exceed
Mach 1.0 within the first 35 seconds. A specially designed
drogue
(stabilizing)
parachute
will
available
for
deployment if necessary to avert spins and excessive Mach
speeds.
Upon
Felix’s
landing,
a
complete
medical
evaluation by the mission’s expert team will assess the
effects
of
the
effort.
tracked
throughout
the
Physiological
mission,
as
and
well
other
as
data
medical
protocols, will be documented, and the results will be
shared with the scientific and medical community.
Q: HOW IS FELIX BAUMGARTNER PREPARING FOR THIS MISSION?
A:
Felix Baumgartner’s personalized preparation plan
includes training in an altitude chamber to experience the
effects of hypoxia (reduced oxygen), hyperventilation and
rapid decompression, including the use of a high-altitude
pressure suit under various conditions. Felix also trains
in a vertical wind tunnel to establish optimal freefall
15
position(s) in his pressurized suit. Throughout the months
of intensive training Felix is also making test jumps
successive altitudes, each attempt taking him higher than
the last.
Q. WHAT KINDS OF TESTS WILL BE CONDUCTED BEFORE THE MISSION
LAUNCHES?
A. The many tests involved in this mission include altitude
chamber
tests,
jump
tests
of
the
parachute
systems,
vertical wind tunnel tests, unmanned balloon flights to
assess subsystems like telemetry, GPS, and cameras, and
countless
smaller
tests
at
the
BAUMGARTNER
HAVE
various
component
fabrication facilities.
Q:
WHY
DOES
FELIX
TO
WEAR
A
SPECIAL
PRESSURE SUIT?
A: Without a pressure suit, the gases in Felix’s blood and
tissues (e.g., nitrogen) would expand dangerously above
62,000 feet – a phenomenon that has been popularly, if
inaccurately, described as “boiling.” Felix will wear what
is called a “full-pressure” suit to maintain the pressure
around his body at a level sufficient to prevent such
expansion.
The
suit
will
also
insulate
him
from
the
extremely cold temperatures he will encounter during the
freefall phase of the jump, which may be as low as minus
47 degrees Fahrenheit.
16
Q: WHAT TYPE OF MATERIAL IS THE HIGH-ALTITUDE BALLOON MADE
OF?
A:
The
balloon
is
constructed
of
strips
of
high-
performance polyethylene (plastic) film, their seams heat
sealed, and polyester load tapes. In this type of massive
balloon construction, the film is extraordinarily thin,
while the tape carries most of the load. This results in
low weight and high strength – the ideal combination for a
safe flight.
Q: WHAT IS THE ANTICIPATED SCHEDULE FOR LAUNCH DAY?
A:
Launch day activities are shaping up like this: the
launch of the balloon is planned 30 minutes before dawn,
as early morning is typically a calm time for both air
traffic
and
weather
conditions.
The
balloon
and
the
capsule, with Felix Baumgartner inside, will climb over a
period of about three hours, entering the stratosphere at
approximately an hour into the ascent. At a height of
approximately 120,000 feet, Felix will depressurize the
capsule and inflate his pressure suit. Then he will open
the door, step out onto the platform and jump.
Around 35
seconds later, he is expected to reach supersonic speed.
The
freefall
will
take
approximately
five
to
seven
minutes, reaching a speed exceeding Mach 1.0 (supersonic).
At 5,000 feet above the ground, the main parachute will
deploy automatically, and Felix will continue to descend
for roughly 10 minutes, guiding the parachute as necessary
for a safe landing. Once Felix is safely on the ground,
17
the capsule and balloon will be released to descend for
retrieval.
The
entire
flight
and
descent,
including
landing of the capsule and balloon, should require less
than four hours.
Q: IS THERE AN ON-SITE BASE CAMP TO CONTROL THE OPERATION?
A:
Yes – a sophisticated Mission Control Center will be
the heart of technical operations. There, the ground crew
will be able to communicate with Felix Baumgartner (and
vice
versa)
Besides
through
serving
as
all
the
phases
base
for
of
this
the
final
ground
jump.
crew
and
deployment of Retrieval Teams, this vital hub will control
all aspects of the record jump, receiving and documenting
GPS,
navigation
and
telemetry
data;
providing
computer
support; hosting live video production, radio links and
communication; and providing the many additional technical
tools and resources required to pull off such an ambitious
enterprise.
Q. WHO WILL VERIFY FELIX BAUMGARTNER’S RECORDS?
A. To ensure that appropriate procedures are followed and
accurate measurements are captured, Felix’s records will
be verified by the world’s governing body for air sports
and
aeronautical
Aéronautique
Federation).
world
Internationale
Felix
records,
(FAI
Baumgartner
the
Fédération
-
World
Air
is
targeting
Sports
several
records – such as "altitude record for freefall," "speed
record for fastest freefall," "time record for longest
18
freefall" and "highest manned balloon altitude" – some of
which are already officially recognized categories by the
FAI. The others, if verified and accepted as anticipated,
will be formally recorded for the first time in history.
VIEWING/BROADCAST/MEDIA…
Q: CAN MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC WATCH THE MISSION ON-SITE?
A:
On
such
inadvisable
a
challenging
for
the
and
dangerous
production
team
mission,
to
allow
it’s
public
involvement at or near the launch location: security is of
the essence, and it is critical for the team to maintain
focus and concentrate on the complex technical aspects of
the endeavor. But because this historic event is not to be
missed, the mission’s broadcasting team is preparing for
unprecedented television and online coverage.
Q: WILL THIS MISSION BE BROADCAST LIVE?
A: Yes. The plan is to broadcast critical moments of the
mission day live, worldwide on TV, on the Internet and via
the
will
news
media.
serve
as
Specially
the
basis
developed,
for
an
high-tech
exceptional
cameras
audio
and
television transmission. Breathtaking camera angles and a
production in high definition are just some aspects of
this impressive broadcast.
19
FOR MORE INFORMATION
Q: WHERE CAN I FIND GENERAL INFORMATION ABOUT THE MISSION?
A: For more information, please visit www.redbullstratos.com
Q. WHO CAN I CONTACT FOR FURTHER INFORMATION?
For all requests pertaining to partnership, sponsorship,
or similar support for the mission:
Christiane Hoffmann, International Project Management
(based out of Austria)
Phone: +43 664 8534 220
Email: [email protected]
For all media enquiries:
Red Bull Stratos Global Communications & Media Team
[email protected]
Trish Medalen (US-based): [email protected]
/+1 415 302 1400
Ravi Matharu (UK-based): [email protected] /
+44 (0)7850 022565
20