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14 Dec 2012 04:26

14 Dec 2012 04:26
Just as soon as you thought you had heard all of Col. Joe Kittinger’s courageous adventures, I bet you didn’t know he was also a high altitude star gazer.

50 Years ago Dec. 13-14, 1962, (then Capt.) Joe Kittinger and William White flew to an altitude of 82,000 feet over New Mexico in the Stargazer gondola lifted by a helium balloon. The purpose of Project Stargazer was to examine astronomy from above 95 percent of the earth’s atmosphere. Going this high meant they could get unobstructed photographic observations of the stars and planets.

According to the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force, the flight also provided valuable information relative to the development of pressure suits and associated life support systems during an extended period on the edge of space.

(U.S. Air Force photo) // National Museum of the US Air Force

Tags: Red Bull Stratos, Joe Kittinger, Project Stargazer