Parachutist makes second stratospheric leap

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Parachutist makes second stratospheric leap

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Baumgartner made his second stratospheric leap Wednesday from 29 kilometers above earth.

25 July,2012 09:51 pm

The Austrian landed safely near Roswell, New Mexico, according to a project spokeswoman. His top speed was an estimated 536 mph (862 kph), said Brian Utley, an official observer on site.Its a personal best for Baumgartner, who is aiming for a record-breaking jump from 23 miles (37 kilometers) in another month.He hopes to go supersonic, breaking the speed of sound with just his body.It has always been a dream of mine, Baumgartner said in a statement following Wednesdays feat. Only one more step to go.Longtime record-holder Joe Kittinger jumped from 19.5 miles (31 kilometers) in 1960 for the Air Force. The 84-year-old Kittinger monitored Wednesdays jump.The 43-year-old Baumgartner ascended alone in an enclosed capsule lifted by a giant helium balloon. He wore a full-pressure suit equipped with parachutes and an oxygen supply. Theres virtually no atmosphere that far up.It felt completely different at 90,000 feet (27,400 meters), Baumgartner noted. There is no control when you exit the capsule. There is no way to get stable.He was in free fall for an estimated three minutes and 48 seconds before opening his parachutes.NASA is paying close attention to the project called Stratos, short for stratosphere. The U.S. space agency wants to learn all it can about potential escape systems for future rocket ships.Baumgartner wont come close to space, even on the ultimate jump thats planned for late August or early September. Space officially begins at 100 kilometers, or 62 miles.Baumgartner, a former military parachutist and extreme athlete, has jumped more than 2,500 times from planes and helicopters, as well as from skyscrapers and landmarks, including the 101-story Taipei 101 in Taiwan.