Project Manhigh

Project Manhigh, National Museum of USAF

Project Manhigh was a pre-Space Age project conducted by the United States Air Force to study the effects of high-altitude flight on the human body. It was a series of high-altitude balloon flights that took place in the late 1950s, marking a significant step towards human spaceflight. The project was instrumental in gathering data on the survivability and performance of life support systems in near-space conditions.

Background

The advent of the Cold War and the race to explore space heightened the interest in sending humans into space. Before the establishment of NASA and the launch of the Saturn V rocket, projects like Manhigh sought to explore the upper reaches of the Earth's atmosphere and the edge of space. The project was initiated by Dr. John Paul Stapp, a physician and Air Force officer who was interested in studying the effects of extreme conditions on the human body.

Missions

Project Manhigh consisted of three main flights:

• Manhigh I took place in June 1957, lifting off from White Sands Missile Range, New Mexico. The balloon carried Major David Simons more than 96,000 feet (29,260 meters) above the Earth. During his 32-hour flight, Simons conducted various medical and scientific experiments, proving that humans could survive and work in the near-space environment.

• Manhigh II occurred in August 1957, with Captain Joseph Kittinger ascending to 96,000 feet (29,260 meters). This flight focused more on the physical and psychological effects of long-duration, high-altitude flight on humans. Kittinger's flight lasted 18 hours and set the stage for his later participation in Project Excelsior, where he would make a record-breaking parachute jump from the edge of space.

• Manhigh III, the final flight, was launched in October 1958. This mission aimed to further study cosmic radiation, atmospheric conditions, and life support systems at high altitudes. The balloon reached an altitude of 98,000 feet (29,870 meters), but less information is publicly available about the specifics of this flight compared to its predecessors.

Impact and Legacy

Project Manhigh played a crucial role in the development of spaceflight technologies and human space exploration. The data collected during these missions contributed to the understanding of how the human body reacts to the conditions of near-space and informed the design of life support and spacecraft systems for future manned space missions. The project demonstrated that with proper equipment and protection, humans could survive the harsh conditions of the upper atmosphere and the near-vacuum of space.

The experiences and lessons learned from Project Manhigh directly influenced subsequent high-altitude and space projects, including Project Mercury, the first U.S. manned space program. The project also highlighted the importance of psychological resilience and physical endurance in astronauts, aspects that continue to be crucial in current space exploration missions.

See Also

• Project Excelsior
• Project Mercury
• High-altitude balloon
• John Paul Stapp