flyrotary@lancaironline.net Mailing List Archive

Some of that temp rise will be aerodynamic heating. I know at 280knts and 24,000ft I'm seeing 10-15decC rise in temp... At 800+mph the temp rise would be a lot higher, even at 70K+ ft.

The SR-71 lived up in those higher altitudes so while 85% of the earths atmosphere is below that level there is still enough air to burn and therefore cause aerodynamic heating.

I wonder what the shock waves off his body looked like? Felt like?

Crazy stuff!!

Jarrett Johnson

Sent from my iPhone

On 2012-10-15, at 6:19 AM, Thomas Mann <thomasmann51@gmail.com> wrote:

I hear that! As an ex-jumper myself that still brought the hair up on the back of my neck.
I found it amazing that the temp actually was rising once he passed 70K.

Very gutsy endeavor indeed. Too bad he didn't hold off a little longer and get the time in freefall record as well. He could have tacked on another 20-30 seconds based on his opening altitude ......... but seconds last a long time in freefall.

This should make for a great special on the Discovery Channel.

I remember the last guy that tried it (on a shoestring budget) back in 1965. He died on his third attempt.

T Mann