On October 14, 2012, Austrian skydiver Felix Baumgartner stepped out of a capsule 24 miles (39 km) above the Earth and jumped. He reached a speed of 834 miles per hour (1,342 km/h) before deploying his parachute. The jump, which lasted nearly 10 minutes, was a success, and Baumgartner set several world records, including the highest altitude jump and the fastest speed ever reached by a human in freefall.
The Suit
Baumgartner wore a specially-designed pressure suit that protected him from the extreme temperatures and pressures of the upper atmosphere. The suit was also equipped with a parachute, a GPS tracker, and a camera.
The Jump
Baumgartner began his jump by exiting the capsule and freefalling for nearly 5 minutes. He then reached his peak speed of 834 mph before deploying his parachute. The parachute slowed him down, and he landed safely on the ground in New Mexico.
The Science
Baumgartner's jump was a major scientific undertaking. Scientists gathered data on the effects of high altitude and supersonic speeds on the human body. They also learned more about the atmosphere and the physics of freefall.
The Legacy
Baumgartner's jump was a major milestone in human history. It showed that it is possible to survive a jump from the edge of space and that humans can reach speeds faster than the speed of sound. Baumgartner's jump also inspired people around the world to dream big and to never give up on their dreams.
Here is a timeline of the events of Baumgartner's jump:
* 1:30 p.m. MDT: Baumgartner begins his ascent in a helium balloon from Roswell, New Mexico.
* 5:00 p.m. MDT: Baumgartner reaches an altitude of 128,100 feet (39 km).
* 5:10 p.m. MDT: Baumgartner steps out of the capsule and begins his freefall.
* 5:12 p.m. MDT: Baumgartner reaches a peak speed of 834 mph (1,342 km/h).
* 5:14 p.m. MDT: Baumgartner deploys his parachute.
* 5:16 p.m. MDT: Baumgartner lands safely on the ground in New Mexico.
Baumgartner's jump was a major success and he achieved several world records, including:
* The highest altitude jump: 128,100 feet (39 km)
* The fastest speed ever reached by a human in freefall: 834 mph (1,342 km/h)
* The longest freefall: 4 minutes and 19 seconds
Baumgartner's jump was a testament to the human spirit and a reminder that anything is possible if you set your mind to it.
