Daredevil readies for supersonic space jump

Austrian basejumper will attempt to break the speed of sound by freefalling from the edge of space.

Austria felix baumgartner

In the ultimate of parachute jumps, Felix Baumgartner plans to start his from the edge of space.

Already the record holder of the lowest base jump ever recorded and for crossing the English Channel in freefall, with his latest stunt Baumgartner is looking to break four records – the longest, highest and fastest freefalls as well as the highest balloon flight.

But such daring comes with great risks – any breach in his pressurised suit would make his tissues swell and his blood boil.

Sonia Gallego reports.

Source: Al Jazeera