Austrian Daredevil To Jump From 23 Miles Above The Earth's Surface

This stunt is so totally insane it's hard to imagine someone would have the idea of actually pulling it off. Austrian daredevil Felix Baumgartner plans to pull off a stunt sponsored by the energy drink Red Bull that will lift him 23 miles above the Earth's surface to the edge of space. Once at that altitude, he will jump and free fall back to earth while breaking the sound barrier. I wonder if that means he won't be able to hear his own screams.

The stunt was announced on February 6 and the window to execute opens in July. The stunt will take place somewhere in New Mexico. To say the stunt is extreme would be a massive understatement. The air temperature 23 miles above the Earth's surface is a frosty -70°F. The stunt team has been testing and developing techniques needed for safety.

Baumgartner will wear a special custom-made spacesuit that was designed to survive a supersonic flight without an aircraft. Baumgartner hopes to become the first parachutist to break the sound barrier by plummeting to earth at 760 mph.

"Red Bull Stratos is testing new equipment and developing the procedures for inhabiting such high altitudes as well as enduring such extreme acceleration," Dr. Jonathan Clark, team medical director, said. "The aim is to improve the safety for space professionals as well as potential space tourists."

[via Fox News]