UPDATE: BREAKING NEWS – Felix Baumgartner’s jump from an altitude of 128,097 feet succeeded. The Austrian lands safely near Roswell, New Mexico after a 4:19 minute free fall, reaching an unofficial speed of 1137 km/h.
The livestream has now completed – please see below for gifs, images and video of the amazing mission.
Baumgartner had been initially scheduled to launch on Tuesday night in Roswell, New Mexico, but the attempt was abandoned moments before the jump due to inclement weather and rescheduled for tonight.
With Red Bull’s delicate helium balloon needing winds of less than 4km/h to safely operate, gusty winds throughout the week prevented Baumgartner from making the jump, but still conditions are expected for Sunday.
As part of Red Bull’s Stratos mission to the edge of space, Felix Baumgartner will ascend for three hours in a stratospheric balloon to 120,000 ft or around 36.58km.
The Austrian will make a freefall jump to the earth, reaching supersonic speeds.
His supporting team of expert includes retired United States Air Force Colonel Joseph Kittinger, who holds three of the records Baumgartner is attempting to break.
Kittinger’s record jump from 102,800 ft in 1960 was during a time when no one knew if a human could survive a jump from the edge of space.
Kittinger was a Captain in the U.S. Air Force and had already taken a balloon to 97,000 feet in Project ManHigh and survived a drogue mishap during a jump from 76,400 feet in Excelsior I.
Kittinger spoke of the experience a number of times, in this excerpt highlighting the seriousness of the attempt and the terrifying feeling of jumping beyond any drag caused by the atmosphere.
“… But when I was looking down at the earth, facing straight down at it, it was a very odd sensation; I was weightless, we will say, but I felt as if I were in a state of suspended animation. “What in the world is happening?” I’m sitting up here but I’m not falling.”
“That was the sensation I had. I had no acceleration, no movement, heard no noise, nothing. It was absolutely quiet, absolutely still, and absolutely horrifying”
Kittinger was spun during his fall, ripping around so quickly that he was unable to lift his arm to pull the rip cord, blacking out. His auto-chute saved him.
Baumgartner will be hoping for fine conditions to allow him to complete a mission that has taken five years of preparation, and current weather reports indicate that altitude winds will be in an acceptable range to allow the jump to occur between 7.30am (00:30 AEDT) and 8.30am (01:30 AEDT).
Jumping from the edge of space:
[roargal]
Cave Dweller
Guest
He's goal was to break the speed of sound nothing else. Altitude came via Cherry Picking because the colder it is the lower the speed of Sound Barrier is. Since it was not at sea level it meant temperatures would drop as low as -15 degrees where he would need 720mph to break the sound Barrier. I notice he reached 728mph top speed but they do not provide temperatures so how can any assume at that altitude without a temp he broke the speed of Sound? I'm taking avg numbers for temperatures at that altitude but no one has give data about it as proof. 372M/s or so many thousand miles per hour is worthless without the temperatures. Can any give me the temperature when he beat the sound barrier? Anyone?
Bondy.
Guest
Can he take he's helmet off I cant see he's face. Lol.
Walt Turley
Guest
This day I will remember, All of Kauai, HI. is so very proud of you....Most of us can only dream of the things you did today.. bless you... Felix, for all mankind, we accept our dreams as challenges & you have proven this...
Bondy.
Guest
What a freak, Quote; I was in control most of the way down ,charming.
jamesb
Guest
good onya Felix!
Tristan Rayner
Editor
Thanks - it's all over now, that's for sure. Amazing story. We've updated the post with images, video and an awesome animated gif of the leap to freefall. Cheers, Tristan (Roar Editor).
Bren Wells
Guest
You left the feed on too long, I can assure you it's not private. However it was amazing!
Kevin Stevens
Guest
True, I don't know how he fit them in the suit.
L-D
Guest
That was awesome!!! Encore!!!! Encore!!! I want to try!!!!! Your soooooooooo brave!!!!!!!!!!
gabriel
Guest
mission complete
gabriel
Guest
felix you are my hero felicitation mom chum bravo
Ann Wendling
Guest
God's speed and protection! Good luck!
gary
Guest
From Vancouver BC and the footage ala Red Bull team simply awesome
anggi
Guest
Congratulation to felix & nice landing
gary
Guest
You are an inspiration to many around the world Felix....Congrats
rogier
Guest
Saw you come down in one piece. Great achievement! Congratulations on you and your team. Although you knew what to expect, it must have been an awesome experience! Congrats again, Roger
Ian Storey
Guest
Awesome, totally awesome, watched from the start, one not to be missed like the moon landing! wel done red bull !!!
Stanley grella
Guest
Absolutely mind blowing. Goose bumps when he stepped off the capsule. An amazing thing, go to think he will have to try something bigger now, life would seem forever dull.
Dean Verster
Guest
Felix. You're one crazy guy. Well done.
SandBox
Roar Guru
congrats Felix, incredible