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krispos42

(49,445 posts)
7. The novel "Article 23" has a scene in it...
Sun Oct 7, 2012, 07:17 PM
Oct 2012

...if I recall correctly, where the main character does a dive off of a platform about 100 miles above the Earth's surface. The platform is on the tether for Earth's space elevator. So there's a spot where thrill-seekers can put on a spacesuit with a parachute and jump off.

Even though the platform is 100 miles, up, it's not orbiting... it stays above a specific geographical location. So you basically fall down, with a slight eastward vector. You accelerate through LEO in a near vacuum, until the gradually thickening atmosphere starts slowing you down.

I believe a heat shield may be involved.

Anyway, it's like this guy's jump, but on steroids.

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