Magnificent Failure

Free Fall from the Edge of Space

Nonfiction, Science & Nature, Technology, Engineering, History, Americas, United States, 20th Century
Cover of the book Magnificent Failure by Craig Ryan, Smithsonian
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: Craig Ryan ISBN: 9781588344502
Publisher: Smithsonian Publication: September 2, 2014
Imprint: Smithsonian Books Language: English
Author: Craig Ryan
ISBN: 9781588344502
Publisher: Smithsonian
Publication: September 2, 2014
Imprint: Smithsonian Books
Language: English

Locked in a desperate Cold War race against the Soviets to find out if humans could survive in space and live through a free fall from space vehicles, the Pentagon gave civilian adventurer Nick Piantanida’s Project Strato-Jump little notice until May Day, 1966. Operating in the shadows of well-funded, high-visibility Air Force and Navy projects, the former truck driver and pet store owner set a new world record for manned balloon altitude. Rising more than 23 miles over the South Dakota prairie, Piantanida nearly perished trying to set the world record for the highest free fall parachute jump from that height. On his next attempt, he would not be so lucky. Part harrowing adventure story, part space history, part psychological portrait of an extraordinary risk-taker, this story fascinates and intrigues the armchair adventurer in all of us.

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

Locked in a desperate Cold War race against the Soviets to find out if humans could survive in space and live through a free fall from space vehicles, the Pentagon gave civilian adventurer Nick Piantanida’s Project Strato-Jump little notice until May Day, 1966. Operating in the shadows of well-funded, high-visibility Air Force and Navy projects, the former truck driver and pet store owner set a new world record for manned balloon altitude. Rising more than 23 miles over the South Dakota prairie, Piantanida nearly perished trying to set the world record for the highest free fall parachute jump from that height. On his next attempt, he would not be so lucky. Part harrowing adventure story, part space history, part psychological portrait of an extraordinary risk-taker, this story fascinates and intrigues the armchair adventurer in all of us.

More books from Smithsonian

Cover of the book When Thunder Rolled by Craig Ryan
Cover of the book Rethinking the Museum and Other Meditations by Craig Ryan
Cover of the book Agnes Chase's First Book of Grasses by Craig Ryan
Cover of the book To Fill the Skies with Pilots by Craig Ryan
Cover of the book We Have Capture by Craig Ryan
Cover of the book Living In, Living Out by Craig Ryan
Cover of the book Art in Shell of the Ancient Americans by Craig Ryan
Cover of the book Bananas by Craig Ryan
Cover of the book Air Warfare in the Missile Age by Craig Ryan
Cover of the book The Story of Science: Aristotle Leads the Way by Craig Ryan
Cover of the book Carriage Terminology by Craig Ryan
Cover of the book The Simple Faith of Franklin Delano Roosevelt by Craig Ryan
Cover of the book How the States Got Their Shapes Too by Craig Ryan
Cover of the book A History of Life in 100 Fossils by Craig Ryan
Cover of the book The Lawn by Craig Ryan
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy