Who was the first person in space?

[MDCmotorsports]

Well?

What did you learn in history class?

Do you believe every thing the teacher tells you?

If you said Russian cosmonaut Russian Yuri Gagarin, who was launched into space on April 12, 1961, you'd be wrong.

Yuri Gagarin was the first person to orbit the Earth.

The first man in space was Joseph Kittinger, an American who on August 16, 1960 rode a balloon (and then parachuted back) from 102,800 feet.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joseph_Kittinger

http://my.break.com/media/view.aspx?ContentID=331024

At the time, the 102,800 ft altitude was considered "space."

By todays standards, the official altitude for space is 50-62 miles.

Kittinger falls about 30 miles short of todays set "space" altitude.

To this day, Kittinger has yet to be recognized as the first person in space.

 

[JustAnotherVictim]

He wasn't in space then.
If he was still breathing, not space.

 

[ValgeKotkas]

Carry on the USSR vs. American fight

 

[drunk_medic]

Thinking about that jump is amazing and exhilarating.

 

[OfnaRcR4]

He had a breather.

 

[Mr.PFloyd]

you information is flawed. I was the 1st in space.

 

[suprarx7nut]

So..... he wasn't the first in space by today's standards...

This seems like quite a stretch in an attempt to discredit the Soviets?

The cold war is over. (at least that one)

 

[OneJoeZee]

you information is flawed. I was the 1st in space.

 

[starscream5000]

:wavey:

 

[tissimo]

:nono:

 

[Interex]

Cool vid.

 

[Shytheed Dumas]

I saw this vid on the Discovery Chanel once - very cool.

And it reminds me of Clip's sig.

 

[Keros]

Well?

What did you learn in history class?

Do you believe every thing the teacher tells you?

If you said Russian cosmonaut Russian Yuri Gagarin, who was launched into space on April 12, 1961, you'd be wrong.

Yuri Gagarin was the first person to orbit the Earth.

The first man in space was Joseph Kittinger, an American who on August 16, 1960 rode a balloon (and then parachuted back) from 102,800 feet.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joseph_Kittinger

http://my.break.com/media/view.aspx?ContentID=331024

At the time, the 102,800 ft altitude was considered "space."

By todays standards, the official altitude for space is 50-62 miles.

Kittinger falls about 30 miles short of todays set "space" altitude.

To this day, Kittinger has yet to be recognized as the first person in space.

Wait a second...

So, we're saying here that a guy skydiving from 19.46 miles above sea level was the first in "space", when according to todays standards, that's not even 1/3 the way there? That's like saying I travelled to the north pole from the south pole, but I got sorta close to the equator and quit... "fuck this, close enough!" At around 20 miles, he wouldn't even be remotely close to the top of the stratosphere.

I'm afraid I can't make that kind of stretch of the imagination, please play again. Kittinger may not be the first in space, but he has a very long list of very admirable life achievments.

 

[OneJoeZee]

No space shuttle, no space suit, no space travel.

Sorry sky diver hot air balloon guy. Go steal someone else's thunder.

 

[starscream5000]

How long did that sky dive take?

 

[Keros]

How long did that sky dive take?

4 minutes and 30ish seconds. Chute opened at 18000 feet I think. He achieved a maximum velocity of over 600mph, which was also a record. The guy made a long list of records on his high altitude jumps. The wiki article has all the info.

 

[starscream5000]

Wiki is blocked by my works firewall, but I'll take your word for it .

 

[suprarx7nut]

Space or not that was one incredible video. I can see why they would say that was "space". I'd love to be completely above the clouds someday. Maybe when I'm 40, that will be a cheap tourist thing. :dunno:

 

[Poodles]

first man to break the sound bearier without a vehicle as well...

Keros: no, it's more like how Pluto was a planet until recently. By the standards of the day, he was the first into space.

Yes he had a space suit on BTW...

 

[MDCmotorsports]

first man to break the sound bearier without a vehicle as well...

Keros: no, it's more like how Pluto was a planet until recently. By the standards of the day, he was the first into space.

Yes he had a space suit on BTW...

Thank you for saying that. :icon_bigg