Red Bull Stratos Soon To Break World Record In Skydiving Jump

October 11, 2012 by Ryan Lum - 1 comment

Sunday, October 14th, Extreme athlete Felix Baumgartner hopes to make a second attempt to become the world’s first supersonic skydiver with a 23-mile free fall over New Mexico.

Baumgartner was forced to abort his mission this past Tuesday due to high winds. He is hoping to become the first skydiver to break the sound barrier by jumping from a capsule, the Red Bull Stratos, floated more than 120,000 feet into the stratosphere. The capsule will be launched into the stratosphere by an ultra-thin, 55-story helium balloon.

The jump is being sponsored by energy drink maker Red Bull. The costs have not been disclosed. But Thompson said Wednesday the balloons cost several hundred thousand dollars each, and he estimated the team lost $60,000 to $70,000 in helium with the aborted jump.