Skip to Main Content
American Experience

Testing Mankind's Limits

John Paul Stapp tested the limits of human physiology. Premieres March 1 at 9/8c on PBS.

Aired 03/01/2016 | Rating NR

American Experience

Testing Mankind's Limits

Clip: Season 28 Episode 6 | 2m 59sVideo has Closed Captions

John Paul Stapp tested the limits of human physiology. Premieres March 1 at 9/8c on PBS.

U.S. Air Force aviation doctor, John Paul Stapp, tested the limits of human physiology both on the ground and in near-space. Not satisfied with the accepted belief that 18 G's -- or 18 times the pull of gravity -- could kill a person, he set out to prove humans could survive acceleration and deceleration at rapid speeds and from dizzying heights. "Space Men" premieres March 1 at 9/8c on PBS.

Aired 03/01/2016 | Rating NR

Corporate sponsorship for American Experience is provided by Liberty Mutual Insurance and Carlisle Companies. Major funding by the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation.

Support provided by:

Liberty Mutual InsuranceCarlisle

Space Men Preview

Before man could step on the moon, we had to take a giant leap. Premieres 3/1 on PBS. (30s)

A New Frontier

Video has Closed Captions

Since 1783 balloonists risked their lives attempting ever-higher altitudes. Premieres 3/1. (2m 31s)

Project Manhigh

Video has Closed Captions

Dr. Stapp's team hoped to fly a man to over 100,000 ft. above Earth. Premieres 3/1 on PBS. (2m 5s)

A Ring-Side View of the Heavens

Video has Closed Captions

In 1957, David Simons rose a record-breaking 101,500 ft. above Earth. Premieres 3/1 on PBS (2m 20s)

Space Men Chapter 1

Video has Closed Captions

Before NASA's rockets, a team of explorers took to the skies in balloons. Premieres 3/1 (8m 47s)

Providing Support for PBS.org

Learn Moreabout PBS online sponsorship

Corporate sponsorship for American Experience is provided by Liberty Mutual Insurance and Carlisle Companies. Major funding by the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation.

Sign in with Email

or

Continue with GoogleContinue with FacebookContinue with Apple

By creating an account, you acknowledge that PBS may share your information with our member stations and our respective service providers, and that you have read and understand the Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.

Are you sure you want to remove null from My List?