Amazing video (embedded below) of James May from Top Gear taking a ride to the edge of space (70K feet) in a U2 Spyplane.  The flight suit looks like that of an astronaut and plane looks like a menacing bird.  It’s 100 foot wingspan is balanced by inline wheels when landing.  The entire system is from the 1950’s.  At one point James realizes that he and his pilot are the highest people in the world except for a few astronauts on the International Space Station.  Quite stunning.  I can’t wait until we can take trips to edge of our atmosphere.  It’s not far off my fellow engineers and space enthusiasts. Read the rest of this entry »