Kittinger is a former command pilot and career military officer in the US Air Force known for setting a number of records, including highest parachute jump and fastest speed reached by a human traveling through the atmosphere. As part of the Air Force's Project Excelsior, in 1960, he jumped from a balloon nearly 20 miles above the earth and fell for 4 minutes and 36 seconds before opening his parachute. He reached a speed of 614 mph (988 km/h) and came how close to breaking the sound barrier? Discuss (http://forum.thefreedictionary.com/postst18130_Joseph-Kittinger-Parachutes-from-a-Balloon-at-102-800-feet--31-300-m---1960-.aspx)
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