Skydiver Baumgartner lands safely on Earth after supersonic...

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1 Skydiver Baumgartner lands safely on Earth after supersonic record Supersonic skydiver breaks three world records during his descent from balloon 24 miles above the Earth's surface Dominic Rushe in New York The Guardian, Monday 15 October 2012 Standing at the edge of space above the deserts of New Mexico, Felix Baumgartner paused slightly. It was a small step away from the capsule, but a 24-mile drop back down to earth. "Our guardian angel will take care of you," said mission control, and the man known as Fearless Felix jumped. Ten heart-stopping minutes later the Austrian landed back on Earth, after reaching speeds of up to 725mph, and breaking three world records, including becoming the world's first supersonic skydiver by breaking the sound barrier at Mach "We love you Felix," cheered the control room as his mother, Ava Baumgartner, wept. Baumgartner, who claimed the records for the highest altitude manned balloon flight and the highest altitude skydive, raised his arms in a victory salute to thank his team. He was wearing a specially designed survival suit that kept his body intact against the hugely varying pressures that marked his drop back to earth. Without it, his blood would have boiled and his lungs might have exploded. Baumgartner later told a press conference: "When I was standing there on top of the world, you become so humble, you don't think about breaking records." He admitted all he could think about was getting back alive, but added: "Sometimes you have to go up really high to see how small you are." His other two records were for the highest altitude manned balloon flight and the highest altitude skydive. 1 of 14 15/10/ :52

2 After two aborted attempts last week, the mission was given the go-ahead on Sunday morning with the co-operation of the weather. Baumgartner was carried up into crystal clear skies by a gigantic balloon, that measured 30 million square cubic feet and whose skin was one-tenth the thickness of a sandwich bag. At the bottom of the balloon was a capsule, in which Baumgartner sat in his suit. As he reached the desired height, Baumgartner went through a checklist of 40 items with his mentor Joe Kittinger, the previous holder of the highest altitude manned balloon flight. There was some concern that a heater for his visor was not working, causing his visor to fog. "This is very serious, Joe," he told Kitttinger. "Sometimes it's getting foggy when I exhale.... I do not feel heat." But they decided to go ahead, watched by a record 8 million people as the jump was streamed live on YouTube. The two-and-a-half hour journey upwards, during which the curvature of the earth became visible and the skies gradually turned black, was matched with a rather more rapid descent. Three cameras attached to Baumgartner's suit recorded his freefall of just over four minutes which failed to break the existing freefall record for duration and then the parachute opening. The success of the mission, and of the suit, raises the prospect that astronauts might be able to survive a high altitude disaster of the type that struck the space shuttle Columbia in 2003 by actually bailing out of their craft. Baumgartner's top medical man in the stunt was Dr Jonathan Clark, whose wife Laurel Clark died in the Columbia accident. Clark is now dedicated to improving astronauts' chances of survival in a high-altitude disaster. Baumgartner has made a name for himself with acts of daring. The former paratrooper has parachuted off buildings and mountains and once into a 600 foot deep cave. He had already done two practise freefalls in preparation for this attempt one from 71,000 feet in March this year and a second from 97,000 feet in July. But no feat can possibly have matched his jump above the town of Roswell, a suitably chosen place famed for its connections to UFO sightings. He was chasing five different records: the first human to ever break the sound barrier in free-fall; the highest free-fall altitude jump, the highest manned balloon flight and longest free-fall and his jump platform is believed to be the largest manned balloon in 2 of 14 15/10/ :52

3 history. The stunt, which was seven years in the planning and sponsored by Red Bull drinks, beat two of Kittinger's records: the retired US air force colonel previously held the high altitude and speed records for parachuting. Kittinger jumped from a balloon 19 miles above the planet in Suitably, the only voice in Baumgartner's radio earpiece guiding his ascent was that of Kittinger, now 84. Asked after the jump what he wanted to do next, Baumgartner said: "I want to inspire a generation. I'd like to be sitting in the same spot in the next four years as Joe Kittinger. There is a young guy asking me for advice because he wants to break my record." He said the most exciting moment for him had been when he was standing outside the capsule "on top of the world". To laughter, he added: "The most beautiful moment was when I was standing on the landing area and Mike Todd [the life support engineer who dressed Baumgartner in his suit] showed up and he had a smile on his face like a little kid." Baumgartner said that he had come to feel like Todd's son, adding: "He was so happy that I was alive." Earlier, Todd had told the press conference: "The world needs a hero right now, and they got one in Felix Baumgartner." To further laughter at the press conference, Kittinger said: "I would like to give a special one fingered salute to all the folk who said that he [Baumgartner] was going to come apart when he went supersonic." This will be the last jump, Baumgartner said. He has promised to settle down and enjoy his post-jump years with his girlfriend, Nicole Oetl, flying helicopters on rescue missions in the US and Austria. Ads by Google uswitch Gas & Electric Compare all Gas & Electricity prices in the UK & save up to Cheapest Solar in the UK Compare Sanyo, Phono, Sharp, BP + Massive 50% Off Solar PV Systems 3 of 14 15/10/ :52

4 Skydiving and Parachuting Tandem Skydive from 180 Skydive For Free/Charity Jumps! Comments 262 comments, displaying Oldest first Post a comment Staff Contributor ecolog 14 October :43PM Most amazing 10 minutes I've ever seen Recommend? (225) Palandiell 14 October :45PM When he opened the door and stood outside... I was speachless. One of the most amazing things I have ever seen. Beautiful and scaring at the same time. Just wonderful BTW: the balloon was so big, it could just barely fit in the Bearnabeu stadium. THATS HUGE! Recommend? (245) MyLeftNut 14 October :47PM Simply stunning. Congratulaions, Felix Baumgartner! Recommend? (106) DigitalJuggernaut 14 October :47PM That was brilliant! Can I have a go now? Recommend? (65) 4 of 14 15/10/ :52

5 kolin 14 October :48PM Phenomenal, absolutely phenomenal. Recommend? (29) Jaaaaaaaaamie 14 October :48PM It's...so...beautiful... Recommend? (14) chargehand 14 October :48PM My palms are still sweating... Mind you, I always have problems in the tropics. Recommend? (6) dirkadirka 14 October :49PM Recommend? (10) Loon. mocata 14 October :50PM That was awesome! with all our jaded sensibilities these days it was great to see something like this. Recommend? (121) 5 of 14 15/10/ :52

6 Roysrolls 14 October :50PM Recommend? (87) I though the tumbling might be the end of him, I was relieved when it stopped, but probably not as relieved as Mr Bumgardener was. oldenick 14 October :51PM Amazing, quite frankly. From launch to landing, a truly extraordinary thing to watch. Need. More. Superlatives. Recommend? (23) bateleur 14 October :54PM Incredible! I bet my heart was racing almost as fast as his was I was so nerve-wracking. Congratulations Felix! Recommend? (15) But... I wonder how long it will be before every Tom, Dick and Harry adventure-seeker is queuing up to do this (and if you think that's ridiculous, look at what's happened on Mount Everest). Azardamus 14 October :55PM The best thing I have watched live on YouTube ever. Even beat the panda sneezing for me ;) Incredible shots and balls of steel Recommend? (92) bateleur 14 October :56PM Damn the lack of editing function... "... as his was, it was so nerve-wracking." Recommend? (2) 6 of 14 15/10/ :52

7 SilentRunning 14 October :57PM How long before a politician claims the credit? Recommend? (25) Doginabag 14 October :59PM Hairs on the back of my neck stood up when he stepped off the platform and dropped so quickly. Congratulations Felix, that took a lot of courage!! Recommend? (26) wizardsleeve75 14 October :00PM Whoah!! Balls of steel doesn't even begin to cover that. Me & family Wizard were watching transfixed - I started sweating just looking at that overhead camera view. Recommend? (18) Hat's off to the guy JackLackland 14 October :00PM As he's now the greatest diver ever & performs superbly when there's no atmosphere, Liverpool FC have made a 67m bid for Baumgartner. Recommend? (492) CifFinanceGuy 14 October :00PM Response to Palandiell, 14 October :45PM Recommend? (71) 7 of 14 15/10/ :52

8 Palandiell BTW: the balloon was so big, it could just barely fit in the Bearnabeu stadium. THATS HUGE! I'm not even sure Felix's kahunas would fit in the Bernabeu monkeyshoes 14 October :01PM legend, balls of steel. Recommend? (3) CurrentNewsMeme 14 October :03PM That was truly and amazing thing to watch. I didn't even mind the wait. It actually made the jump more suspenseful. I made some memes to celebrate his and Red Bull's achievement. Recommend? (5) AmericanInCalifornia 14 October :03PM I call BS on this. Turn on World's Wildest Police Videos to see what happens to a human at 100 mph, let alone 700+ with nothing but a suit, in SPACE nonetheless. I bet the whole stunt raked in quite a lot of money for Red Bull & co... Recommend? (14) Respond (4) HoofItLong 14 October :03PM I felt like a kid watching that. Incredible. Recommend? (35) grauniad26 14 October :03PM 8 of 14 15/10/ :52

9 As someone who wasn't around for the moon landings, that was pretty special. Congratulations Felix. Recommend? (43) Neil Kornfein 14 October :04PM I weeded my garden and felt entirely humilliated by this mans endeavours. Why should a feckless person like me have to be demeaned in this way? Perhaps I should get a life? Well one day perhaps I might do, but in the meantime I resent all contributors who like me watch and and add worthless messages here xxx Recommend? (14) HappyKillmore 14 October :04PM Shame he didn't break the freefall record but apparently he did break the record for largest human testes... Recommend? (21) grauniad26 14 October :07PM As someone who wasn't around for the moon landings, that was pretty special. Congratulations Felix. Recommend? (8) MmeMoonshine 14 October :11PM Breathtaking. I'm jealous of older people who got to see lots of space adventuring as kids. My daughter was awestruck. Recommend? (21) ehaines 14 October :11PM 9 of 14 15/10/ :52

10 Amazing to see on live television. Congrats to Felix - his ambition is a high as the sky! Recommend? (8) ilovejazzmusic 14 October :12PM Awesome. Like, wow. But I did get in trouble with my wife for letting my 8 year old daughters watch it with me in case it turned into a snuff movie. Recommend? (14) wizardsleeve75 14 October :13PM Response to AmericanInCalifornia, 14 October :03PM Oh c'mon! It's all an elaborate hoax? Recommend? (50) Respond (2) I hope you are taking the p!ss with that comment. Otherwise... gadfly55 14 October :15PM The simplicity of it is stunning. Go up in a balloon, and then jump. Along the way they solved some technical problems, nothing complicated. The naked courage of it though is breathtaking. I won't forget the moment he just moved away from the platform, and was gone. Congratulations to Felix, and the entire crew, and to Kittinger, who was with him all the way up, and down. Falling to the ground is so much easier than achieving altitude. Some balloon, at it final expansion, it looked like it should, just as they started to release pressure. Recommend? (16) Zoxed 14 October :20PM 10 of 14 15/10/ :52

11 Awesome stuff: well done Felix. (Looking forward to the helmet-cam footage!!) Recommend? (10) Pointless Dylanwolf 14 October :22PM Recommend? (38) Respond (3) zink 14 October :23PM Such derring-do! I watched online, wiping my sweating palms and shouting "Balls of steel" every few minutes. I also had the TV on. CNN, your coverage was pathetic... Recommend? (4) JosephJoseph 14 October :24PM I would like to have a go too please. It looks fun! Recommend? (3) ttfn October :24PM pointless and absolutely ace Recommend? (40) AmericanInCalifornia 14 October :25PM Recommend? (6) 11 of 14 15/10/ :52

12 Response to wizardsleeve75, 14 October :13PM I'm just asking, if breaking the sound barrier can shatter windows, what would it do to a fleshy human being at the blast's epicenter, especially one in -100 degree temperatures... Respond (4) ChoccaMocha 14 October :26PM Because it's there... Recommend? (12) ChoccaMocha 14 October :26PM This man is not a waste of space... Recommend? (7) grauniad26 14 October :27PM Do you reckon there'll be people who claim it was all a hoax? Recommend? (11) Respond (2) MikkiDisco 14 October :28PM That was incredible Recommend? (3) benjamint 14 October :30PM that was truly amazing tv. my other half (who isnt a fan of Recommend? (12) 12 of 14 15/10/ :52

13 heights) screamed when he stepped off into nothing. bloody amazing work felix and team. applesnoranges 14 October :30PM Roswell. How apt. Brilliant. Recommend? (4) CifFinanceGuy 14 October :31PM Response to Dylanwolf, 14 October :22PM This comment was removed by a moderator because it didn't abide by our community standards. Replies may also be deleted. For more detail see our FAQs. ChoccaMocha 14 October :31PM Not bad for a pleb... Recommend? (13) AfroJoe 14 October :31PM His ears must seriously be popping after breaking the sound barrier! Recommend? (6) Voodu 14 October :33PM Worldwide 'austerity' has now reduced space programmes to mere balloons and parachutes ;) Recommend? (13) 13 of 14 15/10/ :52

14 More seriously well done Felix - an exceptional human endeavour out on the edge of the unknown. CrypticMirror 14 October :33PM Now that is what I call a Skyfall. Beat that blond-bonce! Recommend? (8) cyrnel 14 October :36PM I'm not being mean, but who edits these articles? It genuinely reads as though someone has chopped it up and reassembled it at random. One sentence he's completed the jump, later he 'hopes' to break a record he's just broken, one time it's 127,000 feet, then 128,000 feet, then the crowd are screaming and he lands, then he's preparing to jump... what?! Recommend? (23) EmilyDrabble Please read our community standards. Preview Post your comment 2012 Guardian News and Media Limited or its affiliated companies. All rights reserved. 14 of 14 15/10/ :52