Google Executive Alan Eustace Breaks Baumgartner's Parachute Record

Google Executive Alan Eustace Breaks Baumgartner's Parachute Record

Google executive Alan Eustace set a new skydiving altitude record today, beating a record set just two years ago by Felix Baumgartner.  Without the capsule or the publicity associated with Baumgartner’s dive, Eustace ascended to 135,890 feet according to the New York Times.

Baumgartner set his altitude record of 127,852 feet in October 2012 amid great fanfare sponsored by Red Bull.  He rode inside a capsule up to the release altitude, transmitting live audio and video until he stepped out of the capsule for his parachute descent to Earth.

Like Baumgarnter, Eustace wore a specially designed “spacesuit” for his trip into the stratosphere.  Eustace’s suit, developed by a team led by Paragon Space Development Corporation, is dubbed “StratEx” for Stratosphere Explorer.  Protected only by the suit, Eustace “dangled” under the balloon for the two-hour ascent, then released himself and returned to land in just 15 minutes, breaking the sound barrier as he travelled up to 822 miles per hour according to the New York Times account.  He landed 70 miles from his origination point near Roswell, NM.

The 57-year old Eustace chose to conduct his jump in secrecy and even declined support from his employer so it would not become a marketing effort according to the NYTimes story.  He is Google’s Senior Vice President, Knowledge.

Alan Eustace.  Photo Credit:  Google Website

 

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