Russian stratonauts: pilot-cosmonaut, Hero of Russia Mikhail Kornienko, flight instructor Alexander Lynnik and founder of the aerospace laboratory Stratonautics Denis Efremov made the first jump from the plane from the height of 10,500 metres to the North Pole for the first time in the world practice of high-altitude parachute jumps. This was reported by the TG-channel KosMos Fest.
On 14 April the IL-76 transport plane flew from Murmansk in a straight line to the North. At a predetermined intermediate point, the aircraft dropped landing platforms with fuel for the polar camp, as well as equipment for the deployment of the Arctic data centre of the RuVDS hosting provider in close proximity to the Barneo ice camp. RuVDS General Director Nikita Tsaplin emphasised the need to test the equipment for resistance to Arctic temperatures and conditions, as well as the impact of the northern lights on the signal and other aspects of equipment operation in high polar latitudes.
Approaching the North Pole, the IL-76 reduced its speed to 400 kilometres per hour in order to make the jump safely. To reduce the risk of decompression sickness, the Stratonauts were hooked up to an oxygen system to desaturate and flush nitrogen out of their blood before leaving the aircraft. Once aboard the aircraft, they were in freefall for about two minutes and opened their parachutes at about 1,000 metres. The polar explorers used smoke signals to mark the location of the ice camp below.
The jump was preceded by long and thorough preparations. Because of the high altitude and temperatures of about -55℃, special equipment was required for the jump. Insulated high-altitude clothing, gloves and goggles with a heating system were used. In addition, the altitude required special oxygen equipment and special training in a barochamber.
