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Skydiver Felix Baumgartner breaks sound barrier Felix Baumgartner, the 43-year-old extreme athlete from Austria, had prepared for his 23-mile free fall for years.
Oct. 14, 2012
This photo provided by www.redbullcontentpool.com shows Austrian Felix Baumgartner preparing in his trailer during the final manned flight for Red Bull Stratos in Roswell, N.M. Baumgartner lifted off on Sunday in his second attempt to make a record-breaking jump from the edge of space. Baumgartner was being transported up to 23 miles above the Earth by a balloon before launching himself into the void, aiming to become the first human to break the sound barrier in free fall.
Joerg Mitter
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AFP/Getty Images
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Oct. 14, 2012
As the sun rises, workers prepare at the launch site in Roswell, N.M., ahead of an attempt by Felix Baumgartner to break the speed of sound with his body by jumping from a space capsule lifted by a helium balloon. Baumgartner plans to jump from an altitude of 120,000 feet, an altitude chosen to enable him to achieve Mach 1 in free fall, which would deliver scientific data to the aerospace community about human survival from high altitudes.
Ross Franklin
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AP
Oct. 14, 2012
This picture provided by www.redbullcontentpool.com shows pilot Felix Baumgartner seen in a screen at mission control center in the capsule during the final manned flight for Red Bull Stratos in Roswell, N.M.
Stefan Aufschnaiter
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AFP/Getty Images
Oct. 14, 2012
This picture provided by www.redbullcontentpool.com shows the balloon lifting the capsule during the final manned flight for Red Bull Stratos in Roswell, N.M.
Predrag Vuckovic
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AFP/Getty Images
Oct. 14, 2012
Felix Baumgartner's mother, Ava Baumgartner, center, watches with other family members and friends while his capsule lifts off as he attempts to break the speed of sound with his body by jumping from a space capsule lifted by a helium balloon in Roswell, N.M.
Ross Franklin
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AP
Oct. 14, 2012
Felix Baumgartner of Austria salutes before he exits his capsule as he begins his record-setting skydive over Roswell, N.M.
HANDOUT
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REUTERS
Oct. 14, 2012
Felix Baumgartner said after his jump: "When I was standing there on top of the world, you become so humble, you do not think about breaking records anymore, you do not think about gaining scientific data. The only thing you want is you want to come back alive."
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Reuters
Oct. 14, 2012
Felix Baumgartner of Austria jumps out of the capsule about 24 miles above Roswell, N.M. Baumgartner was attempting to break a 52-year-old record by skydiving from so high.
HANDOUT
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REUTERS
Oct. 14, 2012
This image made from video provided by Red Bull Stratos shows pilot Felix Baumgartner of Austria as he jumps out of the capsule.
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AP
Oct. 14, 2012
A handout photograph released by Red Bull Stratos shows crew members at the mission control watching the jump of pilot Felix Baumgartner of Austria during the final manned flight for Red Bull Stratos in Roswell, N.M.
Joerg Mitter/Red Bull Stratos
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EPA
Oct. 14, 2012
This picture provided by www.redbullcontentpool.com shows pilot Felix Baumgartner of Austria landing in the desert after successfully completing the final manned flight for Red Bull Stratos in Roswell, N.M. The Austrian daredevil became the first man to break the sound barrier in a record-shattering freefall jump from the edge of space, organizers said. The 43-year-old leapt from a capsule more than 24 miles above the Earth, reaching a speed of 706 miles per hour before opening his red-and-white parachute and floating down to the New Mexico desert.
Pedrag Vuckovic
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AFP/Getty Images
Oct. 14, 2012
Pilot Felix Baumgartner of Austria celebrates after successfully completing the final manned flight for Red Bull Stratos in Roswell, N.M.
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Getty Images
Oct. 14, 2012
Felix Baumgartner, left, of Austria, celebrates with Art Thompson, technical project director, after successfully jumping from a space capsule lifted by a helium balloon at a height of just over 128,000 feet above the Earth's surface in Roswell, N.M.
Ross Franklin
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AP
Oct. 6, 2012
Pilot Felix Baumgartner of Austria sits in his trailer. The final manned flight by the extreme athlete was moved from Monday to Tuesday, Oct. 9, because of a cold front with gusty winds. The jump can be made only if winds on the ground are under 2 mph for the initial launch.
Joerg Mitter
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AP
Feb. 1, 2012
The interior of the Red Bull Stratos capsule is displayed. Red Bull Stratos is a mission to the edge of the Earth’s atmosphere. Upon reaching an altitude of 120,000 feet in a helium balloon, Baumgartner plans to free-fall to the ground in an attempt to break the speed of sound.
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Red Bull via Getty Images
July 25, 2012
Earlier this year, a helium balloon used during the second manned test flight for Red Bull Stratos in New Mexico is prepared.
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Getty Images
Oct. 6, 2012
Baumgartner stands in his trailer as he prepares for the final manned flight of Red Bull Stratos in Roswell, N.M.
Balazs Gardi
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AP
Sept. 24, 2012
A crew member adjusts the space capsule of the Red Bull Stratos mission in the pressure chamber at Brooks Air Force Base in San Antonio.
Garth Milan
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AP
March 15, 2012
Baumgartner salutes as he prepares to board the capsule carried by a balloon during the first manned test flight for Red Bull Stratos in New Mexico. Baumgartner was more than halfway toward his goal of setting a world record for the highest jump. A spokesperson said the skydiver took a practice jump from more than 13 miles high over New Mexico. He’s aiming for nearly 23 miles in the summer. The record is held by Joe Kittinger, who jumped from 19.5 miles in 1960.
Joerg Mitter
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AP
July 25, 2012
Baumgartner steps into the capsule at the flight line during the second manned test flight for Red Bull Stratos.
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Getty Images
Oct. 6, 2012
Baumgartner sits in his capsule during the preparations for the final manned flight of the Red Bull Stratos mission.
Joerg Mitter
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AP
July 25, 2012
A balloon lifts up during the second manned test flight for Red Bull Stratos in Roswell, N.M. It’s described as a “40-acre dry cleaner bag” that, when first filled, will stretch 55 stories high.
Joerg Mitter
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AP
March 15, 2012
The mission control room is seen during the first manned test flight for Red Bull Stratos in Roswell, N.M. In this test Baumgartner reached an altitude of 71,500 feet and landed safely near Roswell.
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Getty Images
March 15, 2012
Baumgartner prepares to jump at the first manned test flight for Red Bull Stratos in Roswell, N.M.
Jay Nemeth
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AP
July 25, 2012
Baumgartner prepares to jump during the first manned test flight for Red Bull Stratos over Roswell, N.M. The 43-year-old Austrian plunged to Earth from an altitude of more than 18 miles landing safely near Roswell, N.M. It was the second stratospheric leap for "Fearless Felix."
Jay Nemeth
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AP
2010
In this 2010 photo Baumgartner makes a 25,000-foot-high test jump for Red Bull Stratos.
Luke Aikins
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AP
July 25, 2012
Baumgartner descends to the desert after successfully completing the second manned test flight for Red Bull Stratos in Roswell, N.M.
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Getty Images
July 25, 2012
The crane follows the balloon with the capsule at the flight line during the second manned test flight for Red Bull Stratos in New Mexico.
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Getty Images
July 25, 2012
Baumgartner lands in the desert during the second manned test flight for Red Bull Stratos in Roswell, N.M.
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Getty Images
July 25, 2012
Baumgartner celebrates after he lands at the desert during the second manned test flight.
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Getty Images
Jan. 22, 2010
Baumgartner, left, shakes hands with U.S. Air Force Col. (Ret.) Joe Kittinger after the Red Bull Stratos news conference in New York announcing Baumgartner’s plan to attempt to become the first person ever to break the speed of sound with the human body.
David Goldman
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AP
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