The First Skydiver to Break the Sound Barrier

His name is Felix and he is an extreme skydiver over New Mexico. He is 43 and will be wearing a special suit designed by NASA. The world record was set in 1960, when a test pilot dropped 19 miles from 103,000 feet. If Felix succeeds, he will drop 23 miles and 120,000 feet. A massive helium balloon will take him up to the jump off height in three hours and the temp is a -70 F. Felix will reach a speed of 700 mph in 35 seconds and after a total of five minutes he will hopefully deploy a parachute.Then, 10 minutes later, touchdown on earth.

Of course, his suit and helmet are pressurized to withstand the intense atmospheric conditions. Felix Baumgartner is a native of Switzerland and has already tested the suit in other jumps, the first from 72,000 ft. and the second one from 95,000 ft. where he reached a speed of 536 mph.

What a rush!