Imagine breaking the sound barrier. Now imagine breaking the sound barrier with just your body. It’s been done. I kid you not. October 14, 2012, Austrian Skydiver, daredevil and base jumper, Felix Baumgartner broke world records and skydived from the stratosphere at 127,895 feet. Yes you read that right. The moment was live streamed for the world to watch. It was incredible and mind blowing. Felix Baumgartner is faster than a speeding bullet.
Baumgartner travelled in a pod propelled into space by a hot air balloon. Since that world breaking day, his incredible suit and pod have travelled around the world. Felix is a rockstar in the science world. The Red Bull Stratos Exhibit has been on display around the globe. Now it’s in Toronto at the Ontario Science Centre until January 11, 2016. Montreal was next on deck to have the exhibit, but they didn’t have doors big enough to get it in!!
When I got invited to the official opening of the Red Bull Stratos Exhibit at the Ontario Science Centre, I squealed like a 10 year old girl. A little know fact about me, I LOVE science. My degree is in biology and my diploma is in biotechnology. I could never have imagined what would happen that night. It was a career highlight. Watch and see!
The Ontario Science Centre, as I've said in other blogs, is one my absolute favourite places. I was stoked to check out this exhibit up close. I could have listened to Felix Baumgartner and mission director, Art Thompson speak all night. Felix went into detail about the deadly potential of the flat spin (which he was in for a moment). He explained that during a flat spin, the blood rushes to your head and causes orbital hemorrhaging because of centrifugal force. Art spoke about how they specially manufactured the suit to decrease the negative G forces on Felix's body. It was just fascinating. I need to go for a beer with these boys, or better yet work with them! Thank you soo much to the Ontario Science Centre for this opportunity! I don't know if I was more excited from all the Red Bull I drank or from sitting so closely to Felix!! I was a jibbering mess all the way home.
I HIGHLY recommend this exhibit for everyone! Especially teachers teaching science, space and physics! It runs till Jan 11, 2016. GO!!
MF
