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Baumgartner Successfully Completes Space Jump Setting World Records and Breaking the Sound Barrier

The 43 year old Austrian pilot and parachutist breaks records with his jump from space.

After traveling more than 24 miles up in space, Felix Baumgartner went through a checklist with Red Bull Stratos Mission Control in Roswell, New Mexico on Sunday, Oct. 14, 2012.

After being checked off and released from the oxygen in his capsule, Baumgartner stepped onto the platform and just ... jumped. From the edge of space, he began his freefall. There were some tense moments for those watching live, as Baumgarner spinned seemingly out of control but then he was able to control the fall and began shooting like a bullet through space; reaching speeds of more than 700 miles per hour. 

Felix Baumgartner had trained for this, as the Red Bull Stratos Mission website states, "he was born to fly." His first test jump utilizing a high altitude balloon and pressurized capsule was back on March 15 and was from 71,581 feet over Roswell, NM. Baumgartner recorded a speed of 364.4 miles per hour on that jump and on July 25, while testing recovery equipment and training for today, he jumped from 18 miles above the earth and completed a free fall at an official speed of 536 miles per hour.

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Baumgartner holds the rights for several of "the highest" jump records:

  • 2007 - Base jump from world's tallest building (Taipei 101 Tower) at 1,669 feet.
  • 2004 - BASE jump into Marmet Cave in Velebit National Parc, Croatia  - 623 feet deep
  • 2004 - World record BASE jump from the highest bridge in the world in Millau Bridge, France (1,125 feet)

As part of their statement concerning this mission, Red Bull Stratos Mission states that "[Baumgartner's]  attempt to dare atmospheric limits holds the potential to provide valuable medical and scientific research data for future pioneers."

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Freefall continued until the 4 minute 19 second mark when a parachute was deployed and Baumgartner was guided to safety, landing near mission control just east of Roswell. As he took what looked like a casual few steps upon landing, Baumgartner raised his fists in victory.

Though there is still data coming in at the time of this post, Felix Baumgartner now holds the record for the highest and fastest freefall and the highest manned balloon flight as well as breaking the sound barrier with a speed of Mach 1.24. Unofficially, Baumgartner jumped from 128,097ft (24.2 miles). His freefall was four minutes and 19 seconds, reaching a speed of 706 mph. These figures will probably change slightly once the data from his suit has been properly gathered; the records must be confirmed by Federation Aeronautique Internationale (FAI).  


 

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