Breaking the speed of sound

[Saltwater Bass]

Felix Baumgartner, the Austrian pilot and skydiver, jumped from an altitude of 128,097 feet Sunday, breaking the speed of sound, as the world watched the Red Bull Stratos mission unfold live on webcast. Minutes later, Baumgartner landed safely near Roswell, New Mexico, after a 4:19-minute free fall reaching an unofficial speed of 706.49 mph.
During the mission, Baumgartner set three world records: top speed during free fall, free fall from the highest altitude, and highest manned balloon flight. Although he touched down solidly on both feet, he fell on both knees and raised his arms in the air in celebration. It was a sudden finish to a suspense-filled day (and week).
The Red Bull Stratos mission -- seven years in the making -- was originally scheduled for last Monday. Winds pushed the launch to Tuesday. The Red Bull Stratos team were moments from lift-off when a gust of wind compromised the helium balloon, which essentially serves as the engine to take Baumgarnter up to the stratosphere. The 43-year-old Austrian was inside the capsule when the mission was pushed once again.
On Sunday, Baumgartner's capsule finally lifted off at 11:31 a.m. EST (9:31 a.m. at the launch location, Roswell, New Mexico) to applause on the runway and inside mission control. The ascent to 128,000 feet -- 24.5 miles -- took more than 2 hours and 20 minutes.
At the "float" altitude, Baumgartner went through an extensive egress checklist with Joe Kittinger, Red Bull Stratos flight operations and safety director, at mission control on the ground. "Start the cameras," Kittinger said when the checklist was complete. "And our guardian angel will take care of you."
Baumgartner said, "The whole world is watching," before stepping into his free fall. In free fall, he reached speeds of up to 706.49 mph before slowing down and deploying his parachute.









10. Baumgartner to Free Fall From the Edge of Space
This was the announcement in which Felix Baumgartner declared his team ready to go forward with the jump in 2012. The story describes the challenges, the records and the unknowns.

balazsgardi.com/Red Bull Media House9. Red Bull Stratos: The Mission
Find out exactly what Felix is facing in this video, and meet Joe Kittinger, the man who set the record for the highest free fall back in 1960. And learn what it will take to break Kittinger's record.
8. Learn More About Felix Baumgartner the Red Bull Stratos Pilot
Find out what makes Fearless Felix, the holder of several BASE jumping records, tick in this video. "Felix is one of those guys you get him in that environment and it's like a fish in water -- he loves to be airborne," said Red Bull Stratos Project Director Art Thompson.
7. Watch the Second Manned Test Jump from 96,640 Feet
Felix Baumgartner successfully lands the second test jump from 96,640 feet in July over Roswell, New Mexico, bringing him and his team one big step closer to setting a new world record.

Joerg Mitter/Red Bull Media House6. How to Watch the Red Bull Stratos Mission Live
Here's all you need to know about viewing the historic event, so you can say you saw the first human being break the sound barrier in nothing but a space suit.
5. Red Bull Stratos Mission Delayed Due to Wind
Weather conditions must be perfect for Red Bull Stratos mission control to approve of life-off. Over the past week or so, wind has become the biggest enemy.
4. Final 24-Hour Countdown to Felix's Launch
Find out exactly what Felix will go through on the day before lift-off. See when he will rest, when he will train and when he will climb into his pressurized space suit and capsule.

Joerg Mitter/Red Bull Media House3. What a Supersonic Free Fall From Space Looks Like

This cinematic animated illustrates what Felix will go through on his way up to 120,000 feet -- and on his way down to Earth. We guarantee you'll get goosebumps at around the two-minute mark.
2. Baumgartner completes test jump from 72,580 feet
The Red Bull Stratos project took a huge step forward on March 15, 2012, as the team conducted the first manned test flight. Felix ascended in the capsule before jumping from an altitude of approximately 71,580 feet.
1. Baumgartner Jumps From 96,640 Feet in Second Manned Test
Read the story behind Felix's second test jump from nearly 100,000 feet. Unfortunately, the capsule was damaged upon impact with the Earth -- which led to a several-week delay.

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