"Fearless Felix" Baumgartner, 43, was a daytripper in space Sunday, as he first rose 128,100 feet (24.26 miles) above Earth in a balloon and then fell back to it wearing nothing but a spacesuit -- equipped with a parachute, of course.
The Austrian's successful Red Bull Stratos mission had him break the record for the highest skydive ever, as he also most likely became the first human being to shatter the sound barrier without the benefit of either an aircraft or a spacecraft. Preliminary data indicate his top speed during his descent was a mind-blowing 833.9 mph, or Mach 1.4, according to the Associated Press.
Relive Felix Baumgartner's amazing record-breaking with the high-quality photographs of the Red Bull Stratos mission here.
Daredevil Felix Baumgartner of Austria exits his capsule as he begins his record-breaking skydive over Roswell, N.M., on Sunday.REUTERS/HandoutDaredevil Felix Baumgartner of Austria leaves his capsule behind as he embarks on his record-breaking skydive over Roswell, N.M., on Sunday.REUTERS/HandoutDaredevil Felix Baumgartner of Austria parachutes to the ground close to the end of his record-breaking skydive over Roswell, N.M., on Sunday.REUTERS/HandoutDaredevil Felix Baumgartner of Austria approaches terra firma at the end of his record-breaking skydive over Roswell, N.M., on Sunday.REUTERS/HandoutDaredevil Felix Baumgartner of Austria celebrates after completing his record-breaking skydive over Roswell, N.M., on Sunday.REUTERS/HandoutDaredevil Felix Baumgartner of Austria has firm footing in the desert after completing his record-breaking skydive over Roswell, N.M., on Sunday.REUTERS/HandoutDaredevil Felix Baumgartner of Austria smiles and waves after completing his record-breaking skydive over Roswell, N.M., on Sunday.ReutersLife-support engineer Mike Todd of the U.S. and daredevil Felix Baumgartner of Austria celebrate after Baumgartner completed his record-breaking skydive over Roswell, N.M., on Sunday.REUTERS/HandoutLife-support engineer Mike Todd of the U.S. and daredevil Felix Baumgartner of Austria celebrate after Baumgartner completed his record-breaking skydive over Roswell, N.M., on Sunday.REUTERS/HandoutTechnical project director Art Thompson of the U.S. and daredevil Felix Baumgartner of Austria celebrate after Baumgartner completed his record-breaking skydive over Roswell, N.M., on Sunday.REUTERS/HandoutDaredevil Felix Baumgartner of Austria celebrates after completing his record-breaking skydive over Roswell, N.M., on Sunday.REUTERS/Handout
