photo credit: divemasterking2000
Austrian-born skydiver and world renowned BASE jumper Felix Baumgartner (“Fearless Felix”) plans to ride a helium balloon to an atmospheric height of 120,000 feet, and then jump–all in an attempt to surpass the 50-year record for the highest-altitude parachute jump set in 1960 by retired U.S. Air Force pilot Joe Kittinger.
“Baumgartner could set new records for the highest manned balloon flight and the longest free fall as well as become the first person to break the sound barrier without a protective craft. Baumgartner said he would exceed the speed of sound within about 35 seconds of free fall but would not pull his chute for another five minutes… Kittinger’s advice to his successor: ‘Have fun, enjoy it, and tell us all about it when you get down,’” reports John Matson of Scientific American.
Red Bull is sponsoring Baumgartner’s jump as the Stratos mission:
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