Honoring 50 Years of Skydiving

Posted August 10, 2010, 4:23 pm in GB Topics

On August 16, 1960, over the New Mexico desert, a young Air Force captain ascended to 102,800 feet -- just beyond the edge of space -- in a helium balloon. What he did next set records that still stand today.

Capt. Joe Kittinger stepped outside his balloon's gondola and started a four-and-a-half minute freefall, during which his body would exceed a speed of 600 mph -- becoming the first person to approach the sound barrier without a vehicle. When he safely reached the ground 14 minutes later, he had set at least four records: highest balloon ascent, highest parachute jump, longest fall, and fastest speed by a human being through the atmosphere. Those records still stand today.

Watch the story below to see Kittinger describe the jump himself and to see video of that historic event.

But Capt. Kittinger wasn't on an adventure or doing it for thrills -- he was testing equipment to help pilots escape from very high altitudes, particularly those involved in the budding space program. 

This weekend, some of the world's top skydivers will gather in DeLand, Florida, to commemorate Kittinger's jump and his contributions to the sport of skydiving. The National Skydiving Museum Weekend Honoring Joe Kittinger will also feature several activities to benefit the Boy Scouts of America, one of Kittinger's favorite causes.

One of the weekend's highlights will be Jumping for Joe, a 50-way formation, organized by B.J. Worth, chairman of the board of the United States Parachute Association and a stuntman in several James Bond movies. For this jump, 50 of the most experienced and well-known skydivers will take to the skies on Sunday to honor Kittinger's 50-year record.

Also, the world-famous Golden Knights and the Air Force Academy Parachute Team will perform precision skydiving demonstrations. Plus, spectators can watch a Wingsuit Flying Exhibition, which organizers say will include 10 to 15 of the premier wingsuit flyers in the world who will demonstrate fly formations across the sky.

Click here for many more details about this weekend, including information about the inaugural inductees into the new National Skydiving Museum Hall of Fame. And click here for more great videos with Joe!

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