“Fearless Felix” Baungartner Sets World Records This Past Weekend
As many of you stood glued to your televisions on Sunday (Oct. 14) anticipating the 24 mile jump by Felix Baumgartner, were you at all worried you would witness a disaster? The confident man under the layers of space approved pressurized suit was eager to break the 1960’s record for longest freefall as well as break the sound barrier due to traveling so fast. With the Red Bull Energy Team assembled, and all the proper equipment tested, Baumgartner was ready to break all sorts of world records and push his body to the maximum.
Baumgartner is a well known daredevil originally from Austria. He began skydiving at age 16 and then went onto daredevil acts and base jumping. He spent time in the Austrian military where he practiced parachute jumping and learned how to land on small targets upon descent. All of this training and practice of over 2,500 parachute jumps prepared him for his biggest feat yet.
For those of you who missed the live news coverage on Sunday, “Fearless Felix” jumped out of a custom made balloon from a staggering 24 miles in the air (128,000 feet) and reached an estimated speed of 834 miles per hour or Mach 1.24 for you scientists! The project was sponsored and funded by Red Bull Stratos and the team from Red Bull did a wonderful job helping Felix to execute his goals.
Records Set:
- Altitude Record for manned balloon flight
- Parachute Jump from highest altitude
- Greatest free fall velocity (speed)
He landed perfectly on his feet and the celebration in the control tower began immediately! The sky is truly the limit when you set your mind to it! A goal was set, the plan was executed and records were broken! It may have taken 7 years to get to this point, but it was sure worth the wait!
