Austrian skydiver to try free-fall dive from 120,000 feet high

MANILA, Philippines - Austrian skydiver Felix Baumgartner tries to become the first man in 50 years to successfully make a free-fall dive from 120,000 feet high.

To be carried by a stratospheric balloon, Baumgartner goes for history tomorrow (Wednesday in Manila) at a site location in Roswell, New Mexico, USA.

The historic jump was originally set a day earlier but was reset due to windy condition.

Baumgartner is part of the entire Red Bull Stratos team, composed of a unique assembly of professionals and NASA officers, that also has retired US Air Force Col. Joe Kittinger, who established the record breaking skydive from 102,800 feet in 1960.

The team is trying to complete the highest manned balloon flight, longest time in free fall, reaching supersonic speed in free fall and free fall from highest altitude.

The Red Bull Stratos team will share its data from its mission with leading government agencies in America and associated partners – NASA, USAF, and David Clark company, the suit developer.

Kittinger will serve as Baumgartner’s mentor in the expedition backed by Red Bull Product of Europe.

But focus will be on Red Bull Stratos’ historic expedition with Baumgartner’s mission to the edge of space.

A professional, passionate athlete, Baumgartner has made world-record by skydiving across the English Channel and has been nominated for a World Sports Award and two categories in the NEA Extreme Sports Awards. He is also a prominent advocate for the nonprofit Wings for Life Spinal Cord Research Foundation.

Baumgartner will try to show how to fly – literally and figuratively.

But while Baumgartner acknowledges that the Red Bull Stratos mission is a step into the unknown, his determination to reach the edge of space and break the speed of sound is unshakable.

“If Red Bull Stratos is successful, we can share data that hasn’t been available ever before,” said Baumgartner. “I would be proud to be able to make such a contribution.”