Space Jump-Col. (Ret.) Joe Kittinger

This video is courtesy of Defense Media Activity and first shown on their KZbin Channel: / aftvradio
As jets flew higher and faster in the 1950s, the Air Force became increasingly worried about the safety of crews who had to eject at high altitude. Joe Kittinger was the first man to test a newly designed suit that protected pilots upon ejection.

[@jet-junkie]

He's my great Grandpa

[@samcdigweed]

Wow thats amazing! Ive read his autobiography, and his story from the POW camp in Vietnam is incredible!

[@wallyhunt1441]

Chase Kittinger Saw him at OSHKOSH a few years ago! Bought his book. AWESOME! You are very fortunate to have been able to talk tough your GREAT Grandfather!

[@danielbiddix8986]

A REAL American badass

[@banditofthesky]

You are blessed and fortunate to have that brave blood pumping in your veins. Are you at all interested in following in Grandpa`s foot steps?

[@hrinaksroy1213]

then he is my role model my real hero. i hv also dream nd goal to do like him

[@hexerrush7996]

This guy is one of my heroes, and he's severely under appreciated and unknown. It was cool to see Felix Baumgartner break the records, but people forget that he wasn't the first one to do this. Kittinger and his team had virtually no idea what could happen up there in the near vacuum of space, and jumping from an unfathomable height at incredible speeds; all for the betterment of airmen and science, and not to create a record. God speed, Mr.Kittinger.

[@n3tfury]

#Kittingerthelegend

[@AnnieBrackett88]

I mean, he didn’t tell the ground crew that his suit wasn’t working properly because he didn’t want to abort the mission? Good lord, the courage on this guy!

[@AnnieBrackett88]

@@Lei-mei I agree

[@Lei-mei]

@@AnnieBrackett88 They came from a society with much stronger biblical foundations back then...that's why everybody had nuts and no fear

[@HottestBrownMan]

@@Lei-mei Except for anyone that wasn't white

[@kenneth6731]

I don't care what anyone says or thinks, this man had the biggest balls of all time.

[@dilbertdoe601]

@Nybbl er True

[@derry9755]

havent seen my uncles

[@spartainwarrior6445]

Probably swelled to twice their size when he did that 😂😂

[@ahuachapan2]

Hold my beer

[@incosy]

Alex Honnold is on that list for sure

[@darinloveland6120]

He KNEW his hand was going to get hurt and hurt bad BUT he wanted to make that jump so bad that he said nothing!!!! This is American badass.

[@qtrust]

That's just badass. Brave people can come from any country.

[@qtrust]

@Clark Kent Sure. Whatever. Bye.

[@littlegirlblue6143]

No man, that's an example of American stupidity. He's just very lucky!

[@Maryam-un1cr]

@Clark Kent um.. why are you like this ? ;-; Are you one of those dumb people that don't know anything and you don't know about any other country than America

[@duubufa9842]

@Clark Kent Soviet Cosmonauts accomplished lots of firsts in space before the Americans, including first person in space to orbit Earth. US contributed lots to space exploration but pretending "only" they can do something like this is ridiculous.

[@hawsrulebegin7768]

They need to make a movie about him. Doing what he did with limited tech, no real knowing of what could happen makes his story way more interesting and groundbreaking than Felixs’ jump.

[@Tocobecca]

I'd buy it

[@JajaApples]

I agree. This is so fascinating. Especially to have occurred in the ‘60s

[@Cydonia2020]

I had lunch with Joe once back in the early 1980s after some family members took a balloon ride with him. A really great man who made it possible for everything afterwards.

[@Daffmeister187]

2:30 the man is shaking the other fellas hand with his right hand that had just been exposed to the outside at that height. Even after that ordeal, he still decides to shake his hand with the proper hand instead of reaching out the left going "sorry, right hand's injured". That's character.

[@TheArtofUTube]

Grandpa didn't need Red Bull. Just Old Spice to get the girls.

[@bigelile07]

@@davidschlotterback8374 Search Felix Baumgartner

[@jackjones8363]

Nice one...

[@danofort]

@@davidschlotterback8374 You are a moron.

[@sln7839]

Grandpa didn’t require Red Bull as he had Jack Daniels before the jump.

[@KSparks80]

Yep...That's what a hero looks like.

[@GMGMGMGMGMGMGMGMGMGM]

Pause at 2:31 for the swollen right hand, effects from his pressure suit's glove failing that he mentioned at the start

[@280StJohnsPl]

Joe Kittinger has led a remarkable life....fighter pilot, balloonist and parachutist extraordinaire, besides being a prisoner of war

[@ajpisharodi]

I heard about Colonel Kittinger and his brave human achievement and amazing life for the first time just a few days ago. Sadly by some weird coincidence or providence I happened to discover him immediately before his passing. RIP Col Kittinger and condolences to his family including Chase, who posted here above. A truly historic figure! I wish everyone learned about him in school!

[@ShibHater]

Legend who pushed the limit of technology available at that time! My respect

[@montibeats]

HERO! WOW got to read him on wikipedia A LEGEND! The first then Holding the record till 2012, and he was there to assist Felix on the jump in 2012

[@USAFmuseum]

Legend!!!

[@Tocobecca]

Oh my God that was the guy wasn't it???

[@no-bozos]

Back then, men in the space program were absolutely fearless. It still takes brass balls to do this, but the equipment is far more sophisticated and safer today. I can't imagine the generations that have followed even considering this feat.

[@thomasbummer4361]

imagine the snowflakes of today would have lived back then. not a single footstep would be on the moon lol. pathetic

[@dom6504]

@@thomasbummer4361 yeah you’re an idiot it’s called adaptation

[@adame2986]

@@thomasbummer4361 this'll age poorly when we land on the moon again in 2024 and on mars in 2050

[@thomasbummer4361]

@@adame2986 2050 will not be this generation but the next one which is fed up of all the soy and the crying of gen Z

[@adame2986]

@@thomasbummer4361 boomer

[@rogerward3185]

A brave man indeed. R.I.P. Colonel.

[@PatrickStar19872]

:(

[@StarvingMorlock]

People idolize athletes or rappers, none of them deserves the respect Joe has earned.

[@marcbach5880]

To boldly go where no other man has gone before!

[@CausalityLoop]

What an amazing human being, him and everyone else who worked on this.

[@JR-ly2pu]

RIP colonel Joseph Kittinger.🫡

[@graycee4953]

Absolutely amazing! What a brave space pioneer! RIP sir!

[@sailorman8668]

Why have you mentioned anything about 'space'? Did you actually not know where he had jumped from?

[@patricioramirezcarmona8302]

All my respect for you Mr. Kittinger from a simple citizen of Chile.

[@strictlyLara]

Felix didn't break Joe's record of the elapsed time of free fall of 4 min 36 s. Felix' time of free fall was 4 min 20 s. Alan Eustace broke the record in 2014. What Joe did is soooooo couragious because no one has ever done this before except Joe Kittinger and two colleagues from a lower altitude. I recommend to read Joe's article in "National Geography". It's so thrilling.

[@alexfarman4580]

Joe still holds the record!

[@Tocobecca]

Was he the guy from Australia?

[@MrBikboi]

This is the way I want to go, if I was terminal with a few days left to live. Falling from the cosmos down to our little spec that holds everything we've ever known. A few minutes and your matter is with the cosmos again.

[@derekwall200]

one of America's little known spaceflight pioneers Joe Kittinger

[@AnnieBrackett88]

This man is an absolute badass. There’s no other way to say it.

[@PoutinePete]

This man was so badass that even Felix Baumgartner looked up to him.

[@herbert5491]

Yes indeed...He tutored Felix up to the minute before his historic jump

[@ShadowPlay1919]

I went to Kittinger Park in Orlando today. Never knew about him. Amazing.

[@Nataloff]

See also Michael Lennick's documentary, "The Highest Step in the World. Kittinger is amazing.

[@bugvswindshield]

what a legend. he also was the first to solo ballon from the USA to Europe. It was a huge deal back in France when he landed. He broke his foot , but the people wanted a parade for him so he didn't want to disappoint them. Went the doctor after the festivities. He was also shot down in Vietnam and spent years as POW. Oh and he jumped from space. What a legend. ps. We live under water and in water. Thats why it rains. But we say "underwater" and everyone knows thats the place where you need to have a tank of air and other gear to stay alive. He jumped from space. Where you have to have a special suit to stay alive.

[@jeffreylopez7933]

Wow! one of the bravest man I have ever seen in the world. I salute you sir Colonel sir!

[@grooveclubhouse]

I had the picture from 0:18 printed in 22"x22", framed, and hung in my office as inspiration to never fear and to take that leap forward.

[@Ggucco]

grooveclubhouse that’s amazing!

[@josephxavier681]

That's dope!

[@Iceis_Phoenix]

He's an amazing person much respect for him he's brave.

[@OldGoatintheWoods]

Simply amazing bravery! Talk about a man with resolve.

[@maxr5799]

RIP Mr. Kittinger

[@denas1983]

He’s the biggest badass of all times. He’s definitely one of my all time heroes. ❤

[@kaushalgote8311]

Dayvan Cowboy. Boards of Canada we love you for introducing Col Joe

[@mazeville5129]

Belated Happy Birthday Sir Joe Kittinger... You're a legend and always stay healthy ❤️🌏👨‍🚀

[@187mrsmith]

He was the 1st one to do this 2 billion people knew about Felix nobody knew about Joseph🌈🕊️

[@MPETE1976]

...i did...I also think Felixs jump made many more people aware of Joes jump. Its not like the Felix team tried to hide the fact that it was basically a recreation of Joes jump.

[@breed9548]

@@MPETE1976 plus joe was part of mission control and talking to Felix as he jumped

[@TheWolfensteiner]

Great Respect and Honor. Greetz from Bawaria Germany👍😀🇩🇪❤️🇺🇸

[@MrBoombastic1904]

If you pause when he's on the ground, shaking that other mans hand...you can see how swollen his right hand still was compared to his left! WOW!

[@bogusmcbogus2637]

I had never noticed that.

[@t_k_blitz4837]

Must've hurt like hell, too.

[@kevinadamson6830]

Guy is amazing The Right Stuff indeed I salute you Col Joe Kittinger You paved the way for progress

[@MikeGoesBadaBoom]

Joe Kittinger, tear pilots, astronauts, racing drivers, all have gargantuan balls. To push the envelope is truly an impressive task. I just hope to meet Joe one day and ask how do you get over that fear because I can’t imagine he wasn’t a tad nervous. I’d love to know his mental processes so I can apply that in life.

[@hereallyfast]

2:02 Look at the curvature 👀🌎 So beautiful

[@EggersEggers-pd6te]

I know right. It's all curve. No flat earth...🤦

[@kimoclyde]

RIP Col. Kittinger. ✈

[@wallyhunt1441]

Chase, saw your Grandfather at OSHKOSH a few years ago. He gave a presentation on Baumgsrtner's jump and his involvement! Bought his book. BTW, great presentation!

[@TypicalWhite]

This guy is awesome. If you want to set the bar high, you gotta go the distance.

[@angelgilreath]

Beyond extraordinary!!

[@letzvisit1661]

It’s amazing what we could do years ago with the limited technology to hand. These guys that have made these high altitude jumps must have “balls of steel”

[@rhodigian]

Much respect.

[@LiLGouda.]

So incredible

[@goldeagle8051]

2:28 this is how badass he was. His right hand was hurting and twice the size but he still shook the hand of the guy on the ground with his right hand.

[@johnduthie7116]

My first wing commander RAF. Lakenheath.. what a guy

[@lordmechanic]

Goodbye Colonel and thank you.

[@poundmanpoundman3714]

In German we say… "Himmelfahrt's-Kommando" That means, you dont know do you come back to your familiy..alive! You are a Real Hero Mr. Kittinger!

[@thekito4623]

Yea also it literally means to "go up into the heaven/sky" which they literally are doing here

[@dirkditmer453]

Amazing man, amazing story. Had the chance to meet him when I was a child.

[@herbert5491]

He was one of my heroes(+). He accomplished such a feat so long ago. One of his hands half frost going up for that jump

[@tcswag801]

This dude has brass balls .

[@greymatters6555]

RIP Col. Kittinger.

[@mhermit]

This wasn't a vanity project. This was a man going to work.

[@christanner3761]

No joke, this man had balls.

[@dennishulst]

What a great space hero! Rest in peace Mr.Kittinger 🙏

[@sailorman8668]

Why have you mentioned anything about 'space'? Do you actually not know where he had jumped from?

[@PatrickStar19872]

@@sailorman8668 lol

[@Nyokicat99]

joe and felix are a different breed of man. Massive balls

[@kreat0rrr]

2:29 'I couldn't use my right hand' #legend

[@psavelli65]

Awesome!

[@grahamallen934]

Incredible Experience

[@rahulathawale885]

At that time no such high technologies Wer there but dare this man did .hats off..

[@tilmamakes]

Without these brave men, world would be a boring place

[@derekwall200]

i didn't think it was possible for a balloon to go that high. i heard he fell at speeds over 500-600 mph, and that's because there is almost no wind resistance, it'd be just like putting a feather inside a vacuum chamber and sucking the air out and watching it fall straight down really quickly

[@davidfreud9188]

You know, he actually went faster than mach 1 making him the 1st person to do so without a vehicle surrounding him. I know there are conflicting numbers or some say he did not break the speed of sound but in fact he did.

[@adawg3032]

@@davidfreud9188 He still holds the record for the longest free fall ever

[@fernandoalves67]

Foi um grande dia. Parabéns Joe K.

[@TheHutchIsOn]

I used to watch his free fall on KZbin 15 years ago just to make my palms sweat.

[@lukegreen5341]

You Doing A Super Awesome Job Joe Kittiniger. X

[@tony9t]

Amazing 👏🏻

[@nvrndingsmmr]

Incredible!!!

[@dripzalini9919]

This takes 100 times more heart and balls than what felix accomplished, especially considering knowledge and technology available back then

[@Tocobecca]

And he jumped knowing his right hand part of the suit wasn't working right and STILL did it and lived

[@apieceofdirt4681]

This guy was a true legend.

[@rawspace1212]

He still holds the record for the longest free fall, even after Red Bull tried beating it to this day.

[@sailorman8668]

I guess you didn't realize that Baumgartner opened his parachute early on purpose, so that Kittinger's record remained unbroken?

[@afa1515]

Besides Baumgartner records have already been broken in 2014.

[@DenisevanderLindenMorris]

Thanks for demonstrating the courage to bring science forward. A true hero. Respect. Rest in peace

[@lukegreen5341]

Look At The Size Of The Helium Balloon. It's Big And It's Just Like A Bubble. His Parachute Is Floating Like A Balloon Too. Thanks Mate. X

[@buckleywheeler3278]

Rip. You are a true American hero.

[@jordancanida7179]

2:32 you can actually see his right hand and damn man dude is a beast

[@daha3074]

Outstanding bravery.

[@Klurpaderp]

What a hero

[@davidradich9342]

one of my boyhood heroes

[@joellenjohnson4038]

Love this guy the best

[@revilolanza1874]

Salute. Rest in peace sir

[@justarandomclonetrooperwit8119]

Where are the emp lemon comments??!?!?

[@allingonzalezflores32]

and that's why Chris loved him

[@ughicanteven5896]

😭😭

[@kisuns]

Built different

[@lukegreen5341]

Super Job Joe Kittiniger. X

[@sbsphire]

That's a tough, brave man

[@Nautilus1972]

That's a man that follows orders.

[@iquitted-4180]

Wow amazing

[@carmel6471]

R.I.P. 💫

[@amalfi460]

How was he able to squeeze out of that gondola with such massive balls

[@roberttowner6326]

That space video gives me the creeps

[@thephenomenalone3381]

This is incredible I what to try this one day

[@JayYossarian]

Ever since Man first crawled out of the cruel ocean, he has looked to the bastard sky and wanted to go up really high and then fall down. Col. Kittinger will live forever as the man who achieved heights undreamt of, and spit on them by immediately jumping off the balloon that got him there. When I give the finger to the wild blue yonder from now on, I will do it in Joe's memory.

[@PLA69]

Did the drogue and main parachute open automatically? I wonder what kind of mechanism they had in the 60s.

[@theTCAsucks]

Balls of solid rock!

[@ebayerr]

@ 2:31 you can see his right hand after he shakes hands and it seems ok,maybe slightly swollen.