Skyjump record is within reach
World-renowned pilot Felix Baumgartner of Austria looks set to beat the world record for the highest skyjump in history after successfully completing a test run from over 13 miles in the air. On his manned test flight for Red Bull, Baumgartner rode inside a pressurised capsule on a 100ft helium weather balloon. He reached the […]
World-renowned pilot Felix Baumgartner of Austria looks set to beat the world record for the highest skyjump in history after successfully completing a test run from over 13 miles in the air. On his manned test flight for Red Bull, Baumgartner rode inside a pressurised capsule on a 100ft helium weather balloon.
He reached the altitude of 71,500ft before jumping out and reaching speeds of 364mph ∞ freefalling for over three minutes ∞ before pulling his parachute cord and landing safely near Roswell, New Mexico.
The Red Bull Stratos project is aiming to beat the record for the highest free fall held by American Joe Kittinger, who in 1960 jumped from 102,800ft in 1960. Baumgartner is aiming to reach 120,000ft (23 miles) this summer, where he not only expects to break the world record, but also the sound barrier by falling from what is considered the edge of space.
