Join the National Air and Space Society for our Vice Adm. Donald D. Engen Flight Jacket Night lecture, featuring engineer and stratospheric explorer Alan Eustace. 

Launching at 7:00 am on October 24, 2014, Alan Eustace and the StratEx team set three new world records: highest exit altitude at 41,422 meters (135,899 feet), longest distance of fall with drogue at 37,623 meters (123,435 feet), and highest vertical speed with drogue 1,320 km/hr (820 mph). He was carried aloft by a plastic balloon that stood almost 137 meters (450 feet) tall at launch. Climbing at about 305-meters (1,000-feet) a minute, it took 2.5 hours to reach his top altitude. He was safely back on the ground just 15 minutes after cutting loose from the balloon.

Eustace retired as Senior Vice President of Knowledge in April 2015 after 13 years with Google. In his last three years at Google, he worked with the world-class StratEx team to build and test a scuba-like system for the exploration of the stratosphere. His work with the StratEx team was a 2014 finalist for the Collier Award, the most prestigious award in aviation. He was also recognized as the winner of the 2014 Laureus Award for Action Sports.

The lecture is for members of the Museum's National Air and Space Society and their guests. There is no charge to attend, but advance reservations are required. Visit airandspace.si.edu/membertickets to reserve yours. Seating is limited. There will also be a buffet reception before the lecture with Mr. Eustace for Society members at the Mercury Friendship 7 level and higher. For more information, call 202.633.2603 or email nasmmembership@si.edu.

Flight jacket optional.  The Museum's doors on Jefferson Drive will be closed for the evening. Please use the Independence Avenue entrance.