73-Year-Old Private Astronaut Is About to Skydive From 35,000 Ft to Set a New World Record

Imagine a 73-year-old businessman turning into a private astronaut and venturing into the endless realm of space. But it does not just stop here, as the same man has now chosen to conquer the corners of the sky as well after he has embarked into the endless expanse of space. 

Adventure enthusiasts never stop to weave their dreams of shattering boundaries and breaking barriers and doing the impossible. And in this arena of adventure, can age ever act as a matter of concern? This is a tale of a man who has broken all shackles and limits of human courage and has left no stone unturned to fulfill his dreams.

73-year-old’s journey from space to sky

73-year-old Larry Connor and his colleagues have now decided to etch their names in the pages of history as they are aiming to set a new record on September 28.

Connor is now ready to take his audacious spirit to the skies above Roswell, New Mexico. Connor became one of the crewmembers of Ax-1 in April of the last year. Ax-1 was the first private astronaut mission to the International Space Station. Now he has aimed to achieve a new height. He has been gearing up for a record-breaking HALO (high altitude, low open) formation.

Connor will be accompanied by his group of adventure enthusiasts. He is part of a group, the ‘Alpha-5’. The team consists of four other members who are current and former U.S. Air Force Special Warfare Pararescue Specialists.

The Project Website has reflected on the journey they have been planning to embark upon. They stated, “To break the existing world record for the highest HALO formation skydive, the team will ascend to an altitude of 35,000 feet [10,700 meters] using a specially designed balloon”. The website further added, “From there, they will link arms and form a five-person formation before safely separating and landing.” 

To note their record-breaking dive, “A representative from Guinness World Records will be present to assess and validate the record-setting achievement.”

Connor and the team preparing for Mission Impossible 

The balloon in which they will be embarking on their journey is the largest ever manufactured in the United States. It has been scheduled that they would lift off from Roswell at sunrise, which is around 6:40 a.m. local time, i.e.,  1240 GMT and 8:40 a.m. EDT respectively.

Read More: 73-Year-Old Grandfather of Six All Ready to Set World Record With Dangerous Skydive, Says, “You Should Have No Limitations”

The National Air and Space Museum discussed the risk factors involved and stated, “While the high altitude brings cover, it also brings substantial danger — lack of oxygen being top among them. If their pressurized equipment fails, it would be a matter of seconds before the HALO jumpers pass out from hypoxia,”

While we pray for their success and well-being, what are your views about this record-breaking dream of the 73-year-old and team? Let us know in the comment section below.

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