Felix Baumgartner, an Austrian daredevil, completed the highest and fastest skydive in world history today, successfully free falling to Earth from 128,100 feet.
With millions around the world watching, he stepped out of a space capsule into OUTER FREAKING SPACE and plunged downward to the planet we call home.
Felix reached a maximum speed of 833.9 miles per hour.
The 43-year-old Austrian therefore broke the sound barrier, or Mach 1, measured at 761.2 mph, becoming the first man to do so without the aid of a machine.
Baumgartner broke records set half a century ago by Joe Kittinger, 84, a retired Air Force colonel who guided him throughout the ordeal from mission control.
Baumgartner's space jump set records for speed and distance, however the elapsed time, 4 minutes and 20 seconds, was 16 seconds short of Kittinger's 1960 record.
He ascended with the aid of a helium balloon and landed safe and sound in Roswell, N.M.
An estimated 300 engineers and scientists were involved with the mission sponsored by Red Bull Stratos. Congrats to Felix and everyone involved on an exhilarating job well done.
No comments:
Post a Comment