Courage is the power to let go of the familiar. - Raymond Lindquist
Felix Baumgarnter stepped out of this capsule at 71,000 ft. yesterday in a practice jump for a record setting attempt from 120,000 ft. later this year.
After reaching that height beneath a balloon, the Austrian skydiving veteran ran through a lengthy checklist, depressurized the capsule and then stepped outside in a custom suit designed for the plunge. At this altitude a exposed human would quickly die from the near total lack of atmospheric pressure, having bodily fluids literally boil away.
Later this Baumgartner, will attempt to break the record leap of 101,000 feet set in the early years of the U.S. space program by Col. Joe Kittenger, who tested the fabric and technology that would later be worn by U.S. astronauts in orbit. Organizers believe Baumgartner may break the speed of sound in a five and half minute free fall.
Wayne
CREDIT: Jay Nemeth/Red Bull Content Pool