Gizmodo: skydiving

Skydiver Films 10,000 Foot Freefall into Steel Shed

Rosa Golijan — Mon, 31 Aug 2009 23:20:00 EDT

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]

People Skydiving to See Space Shuttle Launch

Jesus Diaz — Tue, 24 Mar 2009 11:59:00 EDT

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.

In the video it looks like it's far away, but take into account that those are very wide lenses. Of course, they are out of the airspace exclusion area, but they are quite close. Apparently, from up there the clarity of the launch is amazing.

I so want to do this.

Jumping Out of a Plane on an ATV Makes Skydiving, ATVs More Exciting

Adam Frucci — Thu, 23 Oct 2008 11:15:00 EDT

Let's be clear here, guys: jumping out of an airplane 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 airplane on dirt bikes and four-wheelers any less awesome, however.

Part of this is CG, mainly the background and the vehicles, but it's still pretty awesome. It's not so awesome that I'm buying the game or a PS3, but awesome nonetheless. [Brainstorm #9 via NotCot]

First Person View of an Epic Parachute Fail

Sean Fallon — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 15:20:00 EDT

Before you decide to hurl yourself out of an airplane 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]

Fournier's Skydiving Record Attempt Fails When His Balloon Floats Away

Adam Frucci — Tue, 27 May 2008 13:20:00 EDT

Bad news for wannabe record breaker Michel Fournier. While he was foiled by weather yesterday in his attempt to freefall from 25 miles 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]

Frenchman Plummeting 25 Miles From The Sky Will Break Sound Barrier, World Records

Elaine Chow — Sat, 24 May 2008 21:00:00 EDT

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 25 miles into the sky in a giant balloon, step out of a pressurized capsule and plunge headfirst towards the earth, soaring through the atmosphere for an estimated 15 minutes.

A lot can go wrong when you're trying to reach 130,000 feet up in the air. At above 40,000 feet, there's no longer enough oxygen to breathe. At 12 miles up, the air pressure can cause blood to boil. Fournier will be taking the trip in a special space suit, but if it malfunctions, he'll be dead within seconds.

If he makes it, Fournier will set records for falling the longest, farthest and fastest of anyone in history. The fall will be the cumulation of 20 years of research and physical and emotional preparation. To pay for his training and equipment, Fournier has sold almost all his belongings and spent roughly $20 million, mostly raised from private donations.

Fournier has insisted that he's not free falling to break world records. And though the data collected from the jump could have ramifications on aerospace escape procedures, many argue that there is very little to be gained scientifically.

Rather, this experiment probably has its roots in something much more basic and instinctual, despite its decidedly high-tech makeup. Fournier is out to fulfill his all-too-human need to find and, hopefully, exceed his own limitations. [NYTimes and Le Grand Saut]