Felix Baumgartner Creates History

Technology, World News | admin | October 14, 2012 at 8:28 pm

Felix Baumgartner Creates History: Millions of viewers around the world tuned in to watch Felix Baumgartner create history. The 43 year old veteran sky diver risked his life to break the record of the world longest skydive and to break the sound barrier. Felix Baumgartner successfully completely his freefall and landed with a big grin on his face.

It was feared that Baumgartner will not make the freefall alive, because travelling at the speed of sound is no child’s play. Had Baumgartner miscalculated his angle of fall, his blood would have vaporized. The sole fact that Felix Baumgartner came out alive is extremely applaud worthy.

The Red Bull Stratos mission was broadcasted live on news channels. First, the air balloon carrying Felix Baumgartner was shown ascending all the way up to more than 120,000 feet. Then Baumgartner was seen jumping fearlessly from the aircraft in a white custom made suit. His space diving suit did not look like it was made to facilitate the jump in any way; it resembled a regular space suit that astronauts wear.

Baumgartner’s jump lasted for more than five minutes. Initially, his speed was slow but later he picked up pace and reached the velocity that was enough to break the sound barrier. The real question is whether Felix broke the sound barrier or not – it is hard to tell at the moment because the speed of sound is different on earth and in the surrounding levels of atmosphere. Also, there was no ‘sonic boom’ witnessed by the on lookers.

The Austrian skydiver has been dubbed ‘Fearless Felix’ after he took up the Red Bull Stratos mission. He jumped from the air balloon wearing two parachutes (one for back up) along with the jumping suit and helmet.

After Baumgartner successfully landed on his own two feet, his family and the mission control centre were overjoyed. There were tears of joy and Baumgartner could be seen grinning from ear to ear – the man has accomplished what no one has in the past.