Joseph Kittinger, a decorated officer in the United States Air Force who died in 1978, was most famous for his historic high-altitude jumps. On August 16, 1960, Kittinger made his final jump (dubbed Excelsior III, his third jump in Project Excelsior), stepping out of an open gondola at 102,800 feet (31,300 meters) above the earth. He then free fell for 4 minutes 36 seconds, towing a small chute for stabilization, and reached a maximum speed of 614 mph before opening his parachute at 18,000 feet (5,500 m). Kittinger set historical numbers for highest balloon ascent, highest parachute jump, longest drogue-fall (four minutes), and fastest speed by a human being through the atmosphere.

Steve Truglia is a stuntman and former UK Special Forces reservist. He is planning to break Kittinger’s record for highest parachute jump, aiming for 120,000 feet. Truglia has convened some incredible minds for the design of his jump suit (it’s more like a space suit) and plans on riding a balloon-toted gondola up to the very edge of Earth’s atmosphere.

Currently Truglia is looking for funding for his feat. I hope he gets it … what a mind-blowing accomplishment it would be!

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