skydiving
Random Stuff
Skydiver Films 10,000 Foot Freefall Into Steel Shed
1:20PM Rosa Golijan
Somehow the thrill of skydiving is lost after you’ve jumped out of a plane, had both parachutes fail, passed out before hitting the roof of a steel shed, and walked away. With video of the fall. [YouTube]
Science
People Skydiving to See Space Shuttle Launch
11:50PM Jesus Diaz | People go to Florida to see the space shuttle launch live, but these guys totally own everyone: They fly next to the launch site and jump from the plane in their wingsuits to watch it. More »
Games
Jumping Out of a Plane on an ATV Makes Skydiving, ATVs More Exciting
1:15AM Adam Frucci | Let’s be clear here, guys: jumping out of an aeroplane on a four-wheeler is a bad idea. You will break both the four-wheeler and yourself. That doesn’t make watching dudes drive out of the back of an aeroplane on dirt bikes and four-wheelers any less awesome, however. More »
Online
First Person View of an Epic Parachute Fail
5:20AM Sean Fallon | Before you decide to hurl yourself out of an aeroplane to get an adrenaline fix, take a long hard look at what happened to Hans Lange on a recent base jump in Norway. As you will see, he managed to capture the entire jump in detail using some sort of wide-angle helmet cam. I will admit that flying around in that wing suit looks exhilarating, but smashing into the ground, breaking a leg then being dragged down the side of a mountain? Not so much. [ITN and BBC] More »
Gadgets
Fournier’s Skydiving Record Attempt Fails When His Balloon Floats Away
3:20AM Adam Frucci | Bad news for wannabe record breaker Michel Fournier. While he was foiled by weather yesterday in his attempt to freefall from 40 kilometres up, today he was foiled by what appears to be ineptitude. The weather was fine. The problem? His fancy balloon that was supposed to take him up so high wasn’t attached properly while they were filling it and floated away. Uh, oops? No word on whether or not he’s going to try again or slink away with his tail between his legs in embarrassment. When even the news broadcasters are making fun of you for failing, you know it’s been a bad day. [BBC] More »
Science
Wannabe Supersonic Skydiver Foiled by Weather: Tomorrow Looks Good
5:00AM Gizmodo US Edition | Those of you who’ve hunted for news of crazy Frenchman Michel Fournier and his attempt on the skydiving height record (and the sound barrier) will be pleased to know that the jump is still on: just delayed by the weather. During his pre-jump oxygen breathing session this morning, the wind began to rise. Three weather balloon surveys showed the wind speed was too high to launch his main balloon. So, it looks like it’ll be happening tomorrow instead, and you’ll be pleased to know the forecast is excellent. [Le Grand Saut] More »
Science
Frenchman Plummeting 40 Kilometres From The Sky Will Break Sound Barrier, World Records
11:00AM Gizmodo US Edition | Michel Fournier is about to make the greatest leap of his, and anyone else’s, life. On Sunday, the 64-year-old retired French army officer will fly almost 40 kms into the sky in a giant balloon, step out of a pressurised capsule and plunge headfirst towards the earth, soaring through the atmosphere for an estimated 15 minutes. More »
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