German filmmaker documents AFRL's high-altitude research pioneers

  • Published
  • By John Schutte
  • Human Effectiveness Directorate
WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Ohio --  German film producer Daniel Muenter wants the world to know the story of Air Force high-altitude research pioneers Captain Joseph W. Kittinger and Lt. Col. (Dr.) John Paul Stapp, who made invaluable contributions to flight science by subjecting themselves to high-risk experiments as mankind pondered space travel. 

To make that happen, Mr. Muenter's independent film crew captured footage May 8 and 9 at the Air Force Research Laboratory's Human Effectiveness Directorate (AFRL/HE) that will depict how the legendary feats of early researchers laid the groundwork for space travel and for today's AFRL scientists who continue to study the effect of physical forces on humans in flight. 

During the Air Force Manhigh and Excelsior projects in the 1950s, Capt. Kittinger jumped 140 times from a balloon gondola to help determine the effects of high-altitude escape on humans. The project culminated with Kittinger's 1960 leap from the Excelsior 3 balloon at 102,000 feet, a descent during which he fell nearly 20 miles and broke the sound barrier at 614 miles per hour during free-fall, landing safely with the use of a multi-stage parachute. 

In 1954, Lt. Col. Stapp became known in the research world as "The Fastest Man Alive" by riding a rocket-propelled test sled at 632 miles per hour at Holloman Air Force Base, New Mexico. 

"We want to retell their story. These guys were actually the first astronauts but they are not as well-known as they should be," said Mr. Muenter, who earned a master's degree in physics before becoming a full-time filmmaker about 10 years ago. "They did it with a determination that's really admirable, at a time when space travel was practically unheard of." 

Mr. Muenter's one-hour documentary will be a science-oriented story about Air Force research in which he will contrast early scientific studies by Kittinger, Stapp and others with AFRL's contemporary research. 

"We want to connect the past with the researchers of today who are still working to understand the problems of altitude and acceleration force, just as the early researchers were," Mr. Muenter said. 

Mr. Muenter, with cameraman Steffen Bohn and sound technician Stefan Nowak, also visited the Indianapolis Motor Speedway to learn more about AFRL's collaboration with the Indy Racing League, in which researchers collect data from racecar mishaps using tiny accelerometers embedded in ear pieces. The data contributes to AFRL research on the dynamics of high-speed impact and how to improve neck protection for aircrew. 

During their three weeks in the United States the crew is also filming at the National Museum of the United States Air Force, where they interviewed Col. Kittinger; at the Air Force high-speed test track and high-altitude balloon facility at Holloman Air Force Base, New Mexico; and at the NASA Langley Research Center in Virginia. 

"We want to make that connection between today's flight and space programs and the early work by Kittinger and Stapp," Mr. Muenter said. "Every time a pilot ejects today he benefits from the work those guys did back then." 

The project is supported by German public television station WDR and French-German television network Arte. The stations plan to air the documentary in October to coincide with the 50th anniversary of the Soviet Union's launch of Sputnik, the world's first artificial satellite, which entered earth orbit on October 4, 1957 marking the beginning of the Space Age.