The Longest Fall: Joe Kittinger's Record-Breaking Adventure

On November 16, 1959, Colonel Joe Kittinger, a renowned test pilot and aeromedical researcher, took to the skies in a helium-filled balloon, reaching an altitude of 76,000 feet before returning to Earth. But that was only half the journey - he then free-fell towards the New Mexico desert floor, breaking the record for the longest fall ever recorded.

Kittinger's remarkable achievement was part of Project Excelsior, a series of high-altitude flights designed to investigate the use of parachutes for escape from space capsules or high-altitude aircraft. The project was conducted at Wright-Patterson Air Development Center in Dayton, Ohio, where Kittinger served as test director.

The flight data collected by Kittinger and his team played a crucial role in NASA's Project Mercury, which aimed to send humans into space for the first time. In addition to his work on Excelsior, Kittinger was also involved in Project Manhigh, which used balloons to study cosmic rays and test the psychological and physical limits of humans at high altitudes.

Kittinger's passion for aviation began at a young age, and he soloed in a Piper Cub by the time he was just 17. He went on to become a NATO test pilot and later served as a captain at Holloman Air Force Base in New Mexico, where he flew experimental jet fighters and contributed to aerospace medical research.

Throughout his remarkable career, Kittinger remained an advocate for human exploration of space, and his work continues to inspire new generations of astronauts and researchers. His legacy will be remembered through the numerous contributions he made to the field of aeromedical research, as well as his incredible record-breaking jump from 76,000 feet.

In recent news, it was announced that Colonel Joe Kittinger passed away in January 2023 at the age of 94. The New Mexico Museum of Space History extends its deepest condolences to his friends and family.

Longest fall joe kittinger