I think everyone might have been asleep for this. But if you were up... it was pretty freaking amazing.
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So did they do any science? Or was it just a marketing exercise / publicity stunt?
Maybe I'm a bit cynical, but this was cool when they did it back in the day, because it was cutting edge stuff, nobody knew what would happen, and they were doing research for the space program.
I just can't get excited about this, when it's all in the name of chasing a record and selling more energy drink... And the risk is nowhere near the same as when Kittinger did it.
I'm of the same opinion as swoosh, can't really see the point to it. We all knew it could be done, easily, given the right conditions. Now if we're talking rockets, space stations, space telescopes, going to the moon/mars etc that's a different story because actually doing any of that **** is insanely difficult. Strapping yourself to a helium balloon and then jumping out at 1xx,xxx ft, not so much 
Pretty impressed that it was semi-live on national tv though, it's good to have this sort of thing around to inspire the younger generation, might keep them off facetwit for 5 minutes.
That all said, props must go to Redbull because like them or not they spend significant amounts of cash on things for no other reason than 'because they can'. Sure marketing plays a part but I think it's less significant in things like this than say their F1 team and without companies like Redbull the world would be a more boring place to exist.
Why have land speed records? why try to break 50 knots on a windsurfer? why try to eat more pizza than your mates at pizza hut??? Cause you can. People still climb to the top of Everest, and in my books that is still an amazing feat.
Props to anyone that has the desire to do something higher, faster, longer or what ever. These guys inspire others to reach for dreams and go beyond what was once thought possible. And based on the amount of time I saw the footage on morning TV he succeeded in captivating a decent audience.
And props to Red Bull for being a company that is willing to back an individuals desire to exceed. I sat there this morning wondering what was in it for Red Bull, I too can't see they would have much to gain directly out of being involved apart from being see as that company that does... I assume that in itself is enough for them, would be great if there were more out there with the same ethos.
I watched, and was in awe of the fact Felix set out to achieve something, and did.
+1 aus301 !!
They were researching high altitude flight safety proceedures.
www.redbull.com/int-en/projects/red-bull-stratos
Or something.
You guys are quite cynical! The guy who made the jump 50 years ago wasn't; he was part of the team.
On wikipedia it says a NASA certified space suit sets you back about $12M.
Considering the project took 5 years in the making... I wonder just how much Redbull actually spent?
Who cares about nasa etc. I need that suit incase I fall when doing my huge backloops.
+1 aus301, I would have though there would be more support of someone pushing the very limits.
I have to say every I watch him drop off I get a twang of acrophobia.
Considering that suit it was a nice landing.
I'm bored...
Should we get in to a heavy discussion about all the science behind the jump?
I'll start:
1) Did Felix make get the sonic boom as he passed the speed of sound?
2) Is the way they are measuring his pass of Mach 1 correct if the measure of mach differs at different altitudes?
My understanding is he wouldn't have got the boom because when he passed through his own sound shockwave, it would have been a pretty small force because of his size (in comparison to a plane) and because the air is so thin up there...so maybe no boom?
DISCUSS!
Well lets look at the speed of sound:1246kph @ 20degrees C at sea level air pressure.
So technically he probably did not break the sound barrier as the air wound have been much thinner and colder when he reach the "speed of sound" during the dive.
^^^ Sean all that showed me is that there are further levels after menopause.
Now I am scared.....
As you get higher and the air gets gets colder then the speed of sound gets lower (en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Comparison_US_standard_atmosphere_1962.svg&page=1 and NASA calculator www.grc.nasa.gov/WWW/k-12/airplane/sound.html). So I'm saying yes there would be a sonic boom, but due to the low air density it pretty quiet boom.
What I like to know why did'nt he burn up on re-entry?
Plus what were the toilet facilities like? Felix was strapped in the suit for an long time so as the descent was head first did it become a literal dive and hold his breath under wee?
Select to expand quote
Maybe he was smart enough not to drink coughee before the flight.
drink what? coughee? whats in that?
They said people on the ground heard two booms, whether or not this is true it is still pretty cool. I would try it if I had the spare millions of $$ to throw around.
Regarding something I said earlier about a falling Felix not generating the power output to make much of a sonic boom, I might have to modify that view.
Some rough calculations,..
power = force x velocity
say velocity was 700 miles per hour and falling Felix in his space suit and wet nappy was around 180 pounds. (about 80kg)
given that;
5280 feet in a mile,
3600 seconds in an hour,
550 foot pounds per second is one horsepower.
hp = 700 x 5280 x180 / (3600 x 550) = 336 horsepower.
That's probably sufficient power to make a small but noticeable boom. 
