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<div>This is from Howard Putnam, who is the president of a pilot's sub-group of the National Speakers Association. I thought you'd enjoy it. </div>
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<div><font size="4">Dear Members of The Good Time Gang, The Redneck Squadron and other Assorted Friends,</font></div>
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<div><font size="4">Monday, Sherry and I depart for Roswell NM where we will be preparing for the Project Stratos Jump from above 120,000 feet. As you know we have already successfully completed two manned jumps from 72,000 and 97,000 feet in preparation for the next jump from near space. </font><font size="4">The balloon which has a capacity of 29 million cubic feet is huge, weighing almost 4000 pounds and standing over 700 feet above the ground on launch. As a result, to inflate this very fragile balloon requires perfect weather and wind conditions. The earliest date that we plan on launching is 8 October just at sunup. The climb to altitude will require about 2 hours 15 minutes. Felix should go supersonic after about 30 seconds of free fall. His free fall should last about 5 minutes and 30 seconds before he opens his main parachute about 5,000 feet above the desert. </font></div>
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<div><font size="4">You can keep up with the progress of the project by viewing the internet at <a href="http://www.redbullstratos.com/" target="_blank">www.redbullstratos.com</a></font></div>
<div><font size="4">The inflation, launch, climb to altitude, and jump will be broadcast live over this web site. We expect over 300 of the media to attend the launch, including the BBC which is making a documentary of the Project and jumps. </font></div>
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<div><font size="4">I have worked for over 4 years on this project and have been honored to be a part of this historic occasion. Felix is ready, the team is ready, the capsule is ready -all we need is good weather ( and some Divine cooperation) to successfully conclude Project Stratos. We hope that you will join us by watching this exciting event.</font></div>
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<div><font size="4">Buoyantly,</font></div>
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<div><font size="4">Joe & Sherry Kittinger</font></div></font></div></blockquote></div><br></div></div></div></div><br>
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