Skydiver preparing for 120,000-foot supersonic fall

[lewisipso]

New York (CNN) -- An Austrian daredevil is planning to become the first person to break the sound barrier in a free fall, without riding in a vehicle.
This summer in New Mexico, Felix Baumgartner hopes to make the highest, longest and fastest fall ever.
His attempt will take him to an altitude where the atmosphere ends and space begins -- where blood boils at body temperature, and the air temperature could be as low as minus 70 degrees Fahrenheit.
The first step in the attempt will be riding a helium balloon to an altitude of 120,000 feet above sea level -- almost 23 miles -- higher than anyone has ascended in a balloon before.
Then, wearing a pressurized suit and oxygen tanks, he plans to jump out of his capsule for a five-minute fall back to Earth. Within the first 30 seconds, he expects to be falling faster than the speed of sound, which at that altitude is around 690 miles per hour. Crossing that barrier would mark a new test of the limits of the human body.
"This is what we want to find out: What happens to the human body when it breaks the speed of sound," Baumgartner said. "That's a big question mark."


Skydiver preparing for 120,000-foot supersonic fall - CNN.com

[CTR man]

"We have learned a lot from people in the past who tried to break that record, and they all failed," Baumgartner said. "Some of these people got killed."

Why tempt fate? I predict this guy will join his fellow brethren listed above.

[Xiphos]

Rock. On. What an amazing descent that will be! Where do I sign up?

[keith720]

I hope his suit is sealed. At least that way when he "pops", it'll be contained.

[Xiphos]

I hope his suit is sealed. At least that way when he "pops", it'll be contained.

If it's sealed he won't pop.

[pgg]

I wonder what kind of jolt that would give him when the chute opens

[Xiphos]

I wonder what kind of jolt that would give him when the chute opens

Another article I read said he has a drogue system that will slow him down.

[keith720]

Since he's falling faster than the speed of sound, will he be able to hear his girlish screams when he finally figures out he's gonna die?

[SPD]

If it's sealed he won't pop.

At least not until he hits the ground.



He has potential to create the mother of all human craters.

Along with a big giant pile of goo.






I hope there's video.

[4 Turns]

I'm looking at you, Felix.

[Ducky]

At least not until he hits the ground.



He has potential to create the mother of all human craters.

Along with a big giant pile of goo.






I hope there's video.

Why am I having a flashback to what Gene Wilder as Willy Wonka said when Augustus Gloop got sucked into the pipe? "The suspense is terrible... I hope it'll last. "