Joseph Kittinger

Joseph William Kittinger II (July 27, 1928 – December 9, 2022) was an American Air Force colonel, test pilot, and aviation pioneer. He participated in high-altitude balloon projects like Manhigh (1955-1957), testing human endurance at space-like altitudes up to 96,000 feet for NASA's Mercury program; Excelsior (1958-1960), setting records with a 102,800-foot parachute jump at 614 mph; and Stargazer (1962), enabling clear astronomical observations above 82,000 feet. These efforts advanced aerospace medicine and space exploration but have no documented involvement in UAP/UFO research, military UFO programs, or related fields. Kittinger flew 483 Vietnam combat missions and later set ballooning records, including a solo Atlantic crossing in 1984. No notable UAP publications or testimony exist.