News, views and top stories in your inbox. Don't miss our must-read newsletter Sign up Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Invalid Email

A daredevil skydiver hopes to set the world record for the highest jump by free falling from a distance less than 40 miles from SPACE.

Pilot Felix Baumgartner aims to skydive in a full pressure suit from a helium balloon 23 miles above sea level this summer.

Space is conventionally considered to begin 62 miles above sea level and is defined by the Kármán line which sits at that altitude.

(Image: Getty)

(Image: Getty)

The 42-year-old plans to travel at more than 690mph and should break the sound barrier 35 seconds into the 120,000ft drop.

A suit similar to those used by Nasa will protect him from -70°C temperatures, while oxygen cylinders will stop him suffocating during his 10-minute descent.

Mr Baumgartner, of Salzburg, Austria, will jump from a modified weather balloon above New Mexico, US, in August and deploy his parachute at 5,000ft.

The record for the fastest and longest free fall was set by US pilot Joe Kittinger, who jumped 19.5 miles (102,800ft) in 1960.

(Image: Getty)

Yesterday, Baumgartner successfully dived half his intended final distance when he completed a test jump of 13.6 miles above the New Mexico desert.

In a recent interview, “Fearless Felix” said: “I like to challenge myself and this is the ultimate skydive. I think there's nothing bigger than that."

Baumgartner plans one more dry run, jumping from 90,000ft, before attempting the real thing in summer.

The launch window opens in July and extends until the beginning of October.

The daredevil has already jumped from planes and helicopters 2,500 times as well as from some of the highest landmarks and skyscrapers on the planet, including the Christ the Redeemer statue in Rio de Janeiro and the Millau Viaduct in southern France.