Most experts generally regard space to begin at an altitude of 62 miles (100 kilometers), or about 327,000 feet. The officially recognized space border is actually higher, however. Project officials touted the skydive as a "space jump," calling it a "Mission to the Edge of Space." His capsule touchdown a further 55 miles east of the landing site, they added.īaumgartner's mission - called Red Bull Stratos, and sponsored by the Red Bull energy drink company - also set the record for highest-ever manned balloon flight, officials said. After the daredevil fell toward Earth for more than four minutes, his parachute deployed and applause erupted from his Mission Control.īaumgartner landed about 37 miles away from his launch point in New Mexico, project officials said. He said his visor was fogging up during the dramatic descent.
While in freefall, Baumgartner went into a harrowing spin briefly, but was able to recover and go into a controlled descent. They ultimately decided to proceed with the jump despite the heater glitch, and later Baumgartner reported the heater was working. (Image credit: /Red Bull Content Pool)Ībout the only glitch during the jump was a problem with the faceplate heater in Baumgartner's helmet, which the skydiver and his Mission Control team worked on during the hours-long ascent. Images by Felix Baumgartner of Austria celebrates after successfully completing the world's highest skydive, a supersonic leap, for Red Bull Stratos in Roswell, New Mexico, on Oct. Image credit: The graphics above show Baumgartner’s space suit, helmet and capsule. In this Red Bull Stratos video, narrated by Baumgartner, he talks about his extensive base jumping and skydiving history and his philosophy on extreme sports. He has base jumped from the world’s tallest building in Taiwan, from the world’s tallest bridge in France and from the Christ the Redeemer statue in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. This graphic describes the space suit and helmet:Īnd this one describes the capsule and balloon, which is 10 times thinner than a ziplock bag and the size of a 55-story building:īaumgartner began skydiving at age 16, and by the 90s, had graduated to base jumping. Plus, he faced the risk of ebullism, a condition that could cause the liquid in his body to turn to gas and his blood to literally boil.Ī custom spacesuit was designed to protect him from -70 degree temperatures and low pressure at the extreme altitude and maintain the oxygen and pressure levels he’ll need to survive at supersonic speeds. If his body was not positioned correctly, he could have fallen into a rapid spin, which could render him unconscious and cause brain and cardiovascular damage. ET, the balloon was deflated and the Austrian athlete, visibly disappointed, unfastened his helmet and stepped out of the capsule and into his personal trailer that sat waiting for him on the launch pad. High winds had proved too dangerous for the fragile balloon, and just before 2 p.m.
But he regained control and pulled the parachute, prompting cheers from the team’s mission control on the ground.īaumgartner’s first attempted the extreme skydive on October 9, but the launch was aborted by mission control due to gusty winds, following a five-hour delay. Kittinger was on Baumgartner’s support team, worked closely with him during training and advised him during the ascent leading up to the jump.Īt one point, during the freefall, Baumgartner appeared to spin rapidly, according to a news advisory by Red Bull Stratos. Kittinger’s 1960 skydive from 102,800 feet lasted 16 seconds longer’s than Baumgartner’s. Red Bull Stratos is the name of the mission, which was funded by the energy drink.īaumgartner left one record to retired Air Force colonel Joe Kittinger: longest freefall.
You can watch a video about the jump prepared by Red Bull Stratos here.
Then the 43-year-old pulled his parachute, and minutes later, landed softly in the New Mexican desert, pumped his arms in victory and dropped to his knees. His speed - which reached Mach 1.24 - was faster than pre-jump estimates. The jump broke records for the highest balloon ride and highest and fastest skydive. He jumped from 128,100 feet - that’s a height of 24.2 miles - and hit a maximum speed of 833.9 mph during a freefall that lasted four minutes and 20 seconds. Photo by Red Bull Stratos.Īustrian athlete and daredevil Felix Baumgartner broke the speed of sound on Sunday, after riding a balloon to the edge of the stratosphere and leaping headfirst into thin air over Roswell, New Mexico. Felix Baumgartner lifts his arm in victory moments after landing.