+174 votes
in Physics of Everyday Life by
edited by

Your answer

Your name to display (optional):
Privacy: Your email address will only be used for sending these notifications.
+20 votes
by

Surviving a fall from such a high altitude without a parachute would be extremely unlikely, regardless of whether you land in the ocean or on land. The primary factor that determines survival in a fall is the impact force upon landing, which increases with the height of the fall.

At 900,000 feet (approximately 170 miles or 275 kilometers), you would be falling from the edge of space. As you descend, the atmospheric density would increase, causing your speed to increase rapidly. By the time you reach the ocean's surface, you would be traveling at an extremely high velocity.

The impact from such a fall would be akin to hitting a solid object at terminal velocity, which is typically around 120 mph (193 km/h) for a human in a spread-eagle position. The force generated upon impact would be immense and almost certainly fatal.

Surviving a fall from such an altitude without any safety equipment is currently beyond the realm of possibility. Parachutes or other devices designed to slow your descent and provide a controlled landing are crucial for increasing the chances of survival in a high fall.

Welcome to Physicsgurus Q&A, where you can ask questions and receive answers from other members of the community.
...