 Red Bull Stratos |
Click for video: Daredevil Felix Baumgartner (right) tries on a pressure suit and helmet while Red Bull Stratos technical project director Art Thompson and retired Air Force Col. Joe Kittinger look on. Kittinger holds the record for highest parachute jump, and Baumgartner wants to break that record. Click on the image to watch a video clip about the project from NBC’s TODAY show. |
One of aerospace’s most enduring records was set 50 years ago by Air Force Col. Joe Kittinger, who made the highest-ever parachute jump from a balloon floating 102,800 feet above the ground. It was one giant leap that helped blaze a trail for the Space Age.
Ever since then, skydivers in search of glory have tried unsuccessfully to break that record. Now Felix Baumgartner, who is already renowned for skyjumping across the English Channel, is gearing up to make the attempt this year – with Kittinger’s help.
“With Joe on board, I feel safe,” Baumgartner said on NBC’s TODAY show. “I’m really looking forward to doing this.”
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