Usage Conditions May Apply Usage Conditions Apply There are restrictions for re-using this media. For more information, visit the Smithsonian's Terms of Use page. IIIF provides researchers rich metadata and image viewing options for comparison of works across cultural heritage collections. More - https://iiif.si.edu View Manifest View in Mirador Viewer Usage Conditions May Apply Usage Conditions Apply There are restrictions for re-using this media. For more information, visit the Smithsonian's Terms of Use page. IIIF provides researchers rich metadata and image viewing options for comparison of works across cultural heritage collections. More - https://iiif.si.edu View Manifest View in Mirador Viewer Usage Conditions May Apply Usage Conditions Apply There are restrictions for re-using this media. For more information, visit the Smithsonian's Terms of Use page. IIIF provides researchers rich metadata and image viewing options for comparison of works across cultural heritage collections. More - https://iiif.si.edu View Manifest View in Mirador Viewer

On October 24, 2014, Dr. Alan Eustace used a state-of-the-art Pressure Suit Assembly to ascend to the top of the stratosphere beneath a large, helium-filled plastic balloon and sky dive back to Earth. He reached a maximum altitude of 135,889 feet before parachuting back to Earth, breaking the previous world record. He accomplished this mission by using a pressure suit alone for life support and foregoing the weight of a balloon gondola to ascend to the stratosphere.

In order to conserve the weight and expense of an oxygen supplies, the StratEx team decided to supply oxygen to Eustace only from the neck up. His oxygen mask was equipped with a valve that sent spent air, including carbon dioxide and humidity to the bottom part of the suit. In order for this arrangement to work, the suit had a rubber neck dam that formed a good seal. This plug was used when the suit was not being worn to maintain the integrity of the neck dam.

The Eustace-Kwan family donated this item along with the suit to the museum in 2015.

 Display Status

This object is not on display at the National Air and Space Museum. It is either on loan or in storage.
Object Details
Country of Origin United States of America Type EQUIPMENT Pilot Robert Alan Eustace
 Dimensions 3-D: 7.3 × 15.2cm (2 7/8 × 6 in.)
 Materials teflon
 Inventory Number A20150515010 Credit Line Gift of the Eustace-Kwan family. Data Source National Air and Space Museum Restrictions & Rights Usage conditions apply
For more information, visit the Smithsonians Terms of Use.