Red Bull Stratos Lands At Smithsonian

Back in 2012 Red Bull successfully managed one of the most impressive feats ever attempted by man.  The jump of Felix Baumgartner from the edge of space in late 2012 was much more than just a daring stunt of the highest calibre. No, this was much more.

The data from the jump was scrutinized in order to achieve ways to help improve high altitude escapes for aeronautical pilots and astronauts. The jump had also broken the world record for the longest-distance freefall. Baumgartner reached a speed of 843.6 mph (mach 1.25 for you speed freaks) and he became the first human to break the sound barrier in a freefall.  This all happened 65 years after Chuck Yeager had broken the speed of sound barrier in an aircraft.

With the jump over and the Stratos capsule that was used for the stunt no longer needed, the capsule is on its way to its final destination. The Red Bull Stratos will hit terra firma for the last time at The Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum. The Stratos capsule will become a major part of the exhibit entitled: Red Bull Stratos Mission to the Edge of Space.  There will also be other mission artefacts from the jump, along with the capsule, that will be added to the permanent collections later on at the museum.

From April 2 to May 26, visitors to the museum will get to see gear used in the mission including the space suit worn by Baumgartner and the capsule.  After the exhibit has finished the capsule and the space suit will be put into the permanent collection at the museum under the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center along with the Space Shuttle Discovery.

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[Image via universetoday]

SOURCE: http://www.slashgear.com/red-bull-stratos-mission-to-the-edge-of-space-exhibit-lands-at-the-smithsonian-19321221/