Felix Baumgartner Skydives From Space, Proves Red Bull May Hinder Human Survival Instinct

Daredevils and risk-takers, the gauntlet has been thrown ... from 13-miles up.

Felix Baumgartner, the 42-year-old who plans to break the speed of sound with a jump from the stratosphere later this summer, completed his first test this week, skydiving in a space suit from 13 miles up in the sky—about 5 miles higher that a jumbo jet usually flies.

Baumgartner pulled off this high-flying stunt by heading aloft in his custom designed Red Bull Stratos capsule attached to a 100-foot-wide helium balloon. In a fully pressurized jump suit, he launched himself into a free fall that lasted nearly four minutes and propelled him to speeds of over 360 miles per hour.

The high-flying act is just a dress rehearsal for Baumgartner's ultimate goal: to jump from an altitude of 23 miles, a free fall that will take him past Mach 1. That leap would beat a previous record held by U.S. Air Force Captain Joe Kittinger, who jumped from nearly 20 miles up in 1960. OK, dude, put a diving board on that Red Bull Capsule and a kiddy pool on the ground, and we're talking business.

• Category

  Science & Technology

[hackysak6]

Why do you hear more Chuck Norris jokes than Bruce Lee jokes? Because Bruce Lee is no joke.

[Tim Bryant]

aaargh i just want to see the real vid!,stupid misleading crap!!



[samcdigweed]

To be fair, Kittinger did 2 test jumps, and on Excelsior 2 (test jump 2) the lines nearly strangled him. It would be impossible to do this kind of jumps without experience and preparation. Both jumps are amazing! :) Kittinger still holds a record for his jump, but many were beaten by Baumgartner.

[redsun1337]

Joe Kittinger 1960! hero!



[CodePink85]

If you'd just read my comment and stop being so head over heels in love with this guy...Sheesh

[moost66]

Why does he salute? Is he in the military?

[samcdigweed]

The jump was 39km/over 24 miles, 833.9mph/1342kph.

[Nora Dahl]

The real jump was up at 36 km.

[1xTheDarkKnightx1]

700 km.

[Jenck grime]

this was a pre jump readying himself for the real thing dipshits listen agen!

[g6rida07]

13 miles up? wrong he was a little over 24 miles up. He was way faster than 360 mph he was almost 700 and some mph...Where are you getting you info?