Felix Baumgartner breaks the sound barrier at Mach 1.24 by jumping from 128,100 Feet

Felix Baumgartner makes the jump from 128,100 feet: Photo Copyright Getty Images/AP

After SEVEN YEARS of preparation & sheer hard work, Austrian Skydiver and BASE jumper, Felix Baumgartner, today, re-wrote the history books by skydiving from a Helium balloon at an estimated 39 kilometers (128,100 ft), and reaching an estimated speed of 1,342 kilometres per hour (834 mph), or Mach 1.24 to set a new world record as the first human to break the sound barrier outside of a vehicle.  After a two and half hour ascent he completed his 40 point checklist which concluded with his depressurizing the capsule, and then standing on a skateboard sized-step. The record was previously held by the American, Joseph Kittinger, for skydiving from 102,800 ft (31.33 km) in 1960,

Data affirmed that Baumgartner also set the record for the highest manned balloon flight, and the highest exit at altitude (at the same height of 128,100 feet). 

Baumgartner was recorded to be in free fall for 4 minutes and 19 seconds, just 17 seconds shy of Joseph Kittinger's 1960 jump. In all, Baumgartner set three new world records, including the highest skydive ever. Just prior to jumping, the great man said ‘I wish the world could see what I see’. I can say that I was in London when he broke the records, watching live through the RedBull website.


-Navjot Singh

Felix Baumgartner and his capsule at 128,100 feet: Photo Copyright Getty Images/AP

Felix Baumgartner upon landing in Roswell, New Mexico, USA: Photo Copyright Getty Images