Comments on: “Deadlies” Nominee: Inflatable Space Pod

By: Maj. Michael Stack USAF (Ret.)

Maj. Michael Stack USAF (Ret.) — Fri, 28 Mar 2008 05:30:35 +0000

And one must think that the stress of leaving a disabled spacecraft is any more stressful than riding it into orbit in the first place?
The parachute seemed rather risky in its infancy also. It developed over time, but the parachutes of today area far cry from the bags stuffed with a canopy and lines attached to the fuselage of Fokker DVIIs.
And given a choice of burning to death in a canvas coffin or jumping, I think I’ll risk the jump.
I don’t see the device under ridicule as any more dangerous or less practical then its predecessor, the WWI aircraft escape system.

By: Brian

Brian — Tue, 21 Nov 2006 17:40:14 +0000

Project Pluto was the radioactive bomber plan. I believe they were supposed to fly over the North Pole, thus eliminating the worry of irradiating your neighbors.
But poor Santa Claus…

By: Rick Tumlinson

Rick Tumlinson — Mon, 20 Nov 2006 23:35:28 +0000

Regarding return from orbit without a spacecraft.
Today’s “That’s crazy! Is tomorrow’s “I wish I had thought of that.“
Not in reference to the Moose design, but to the concept;
This is not only doable, but is going to be done.
The idea is being worked on again by a serious and credentialed team. Agreements are being signed, rides put together, research is underway — all very Real.
Expect the first “Space Dive” (trademark) in early 2008. Altitude (not “space” at first) above 120k feet. To be followed by incremental increases — yes, all the way to orbit.
Investors and sponsors are being sought.
Stay tuned.
Rick Tumlinson
(my bio is findable)

By: mike

mike — Mon, 20 Nov 2006 21:43:15 +0000

Damn straight.
Four weeks training at Star City, $40,000.
24 hours in Vegas, $5000.
Chance of becoming a crispy critter, say three in five.
Being able to say for the rest of your life that you did a freefall jump FROM ORBIT– priceless.

By: Brian

Brian — Mon, 20 Nov 2006 20:26:54 +0000

I think I saw this once on Dragonball Z.

By: MD

MD — Mon, 20 Nov 2006 19:28:15 +0000

LOL… looks like an instructional brochure for, “How to bake humans like a potato”…

By: bespoke

bespoke — Mon, 20 Nov 2006 18:58:56 +0000

Exactly, Cranky.
There are enough *EXTREME* people out there that certainly some of them would be willing to do the ultimate sky, er, space, dive.
As from Aliens:
Hudson: We’re on an express elevator to hell — going down!

By: Cranky Observer

Cranky Observer — Mon, 20 Nov 2006 16:33:13 +0000

Google “wingsuit” some time, watch the videos, and tell me that those guys would turn down a chance to try a freefall jump from orbit.
The line to get on board the jump ship would be a kilometer long.
Cranky