Skydiver Felix Baumgartner will dive from 23 miles above the Earth’s surface, becoming the first free-falling human to break the sound barrier.

Skydiver Felix Baumgartner will dive from 23 miles above the Earth’s surface, becoming the first free-falling human to break the sound barrier.

Felix Baumgartner will ride up in his Red Bull Stratos capsule carried by a stratospheric balloon to an altitude of nearly 23 miles (120,000 feet) and then make a freefall jump, becoming the first person to break the sound barrier without a vehicle. Speed estimated to be about 690 miles per hour at point of breaking sound barrier; acceleration could continue to more than Mach 1.1.

UPDATE:

Red Bull Stratos was scheduled to launch today at 1:30pm, but cancelled due to bad weather.

UPDATE:

Sun Oct 14th, 2012

Red Bull Stratos is a SUCCESS! Congratulations Felix Baumgartner!

Misc Facts:



The ultra-thin helium balloon used to take Baumgartner

to the stratosphere is 55-story tall



When Baumgartner steps off the Stratos, the air is so thin that

it will take him less that 10 seconds to hit 200km



Within 30 seconds should hit the sound barrier



Baumgartner body will to be pointed directly down, with arms tucked in, so not to tumble and minimize heat buildup, while a shock wave forms around his body starting from his head, once he reaches the speed barrier.

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