Felix Baumgartner plans to make 23-mile skydive

The Austrian skydiver Felix Baumgartner will attempt to become the first human to break the sound barrier unaided by a vehicle.

He is going to jump out of a balloon at more than 120,000ft (36.5km) above Roswell, New Mexico.

In the near vacuum at that altitude, he should accelerate beyond about 690mph (1,110km/h) within 40 seconds.

Assuming all goes well, he will open a parachute near the ground to land softly in the local desert.

The 43-year-old adventurer - famous for jumping off skyscrapers - is under no illusions about the dangers he faces.

Where he is going, the air pressure is less than 2% of what it is at sea level, and it is impossible to breathe without an oxygen supply.

Others who have tried to break the existing records for the highest, fastest and longest freefalls have lost their lives in the process.

"If something goes wrong, the only thing that might help you is *," says Baumgartner.

"Because if you run out of luck, if you run out of skills, there is nothing left and you have to really hope he is not going to let you down."

Weather permitting, lift-off from Roswell airport should occur about 0700 local time (1300 GMT; 1400BST).

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-19860249

Apparently there will be an Interweb feed at www.redbullstratos.com. Red Bull first said it would be live, but now they're saying it'll be on a 20-second delay (i.e. in case he gets ripped to shreds.

 

* & THAT springs to mind

 

I think he'll die. How will a parachute be able to open and work at that speed?

 

Just seen this on the news. Good luck to him and I hope he lands safely.

 

* that like

 

http://www.youtube.com/redbull

Live stream if anybody wants to watch it. Starts in 10mins.

 

Joe Kittinger did a similar jump waay back in the 60's

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLARiivD9mgnJH3l9L7AICh7_NQvLU_0At


Really looking forward to this jump. This guy has balls.

 

Absolute mad. 2 people have died trying this before & I really hope he pulls this off.

 

Well, the broadcast has started but he isn't jumping for another 55 minutes yet

 

the pull of gravity and the resistance of air is called terminal velocity, that is, the maximum speed for a falling object is 170mph.
but the higher up you go the thinner the air, so no resistance, therefor he could in theory break the sound barrier, but once he enters into thicker air he will slow down to terminal velocity.
heard this on the radio today.

my feelings on this stunt ?

WHY ??

 

AYE ! but they'll be in his skull when he hits the ground. :icon_mrgreen:

 

How will anyone know if he's broke the sound barrier, as only he will be up there?

 

No idea why he is doing it. Whether it is to be the best at it or just the thrill of it.

I am sure many of you are aware of this gent.

http://www.google.co.uk/url?sa=t&rc...54GQDQ&usg=AFQjCNEqHbIh4O_fG3ZpGUn0o4YZ-EDdgA

His comments on his main page explain the mind of a daredevil.

 

watching this now, any idea when he will jump ?

 

8/9pm our time

 

As soon as he moves quicker than 768 mph he will be moving faster than the speed of sound.

 

I just read that he's got all sots of sensors on him so, if they don't break, they will be able to monitor him and check he's really done it.

 

is this on tv the nite?

 

Can't see it listed anywhere. May have to just watch it online.