Thermolite suit to be used for 40km jump
Michel Fournier, a former colonel in the French Army, is to attempt his next freefall Super Jump at the end of August wearing a special suit made with Thermolite Performance Insulation. His aim is to break the high altitude skydive record of 40km.
The Super Jump was initially developed as part of the European Hermes space shuttle programme to test atmosphere re-entry and freefall rescue methods for shuttle astronauts to escape without a spacecraft in emergency cases. Michel Fournier was selected among other candidates for this mission, which in the end was cancelled; however, he then pursued the work on his own.
His journey to a height of 40km will start in a pressurised gondola hanging from a special balloon, where he will see the curvature of the earth and then jump out of the stratosphere. Within the first 40 seconds and at a speed of more than 1,100km/h, he will exceed the speed of sound. After a freefall of six minutes, Mr Fournier will open his parachute at a height of 5km.
During the descent, he will wear a special insulation suit containing two layers of Thermolite Micro Performance Insulation in 150 g/m². This will enable Mr Fournier to survive temperatures below -100°C for 10 minutes. Thermolite Micro contains a patented blend of ultra-thin micro fibres with a special silicone coating and offers. warmth without excess bulk or weight. Other benefits include softness and freedom of movement, compatibility and durability. It can also be used for day apparel, quilts, sleeping bags, jackets, coats and high-tech garments.
