Explore Felix Baumgartner’s historic space jump—how long it took, how fast he fell and how his $20 million mission redefined freefall records.
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Felix Baumgartner’s Record-Breaking Space Jump
Felix Baumgartner’s Record-Breaking Space Jump: Duration, Speed, Cost, and Legacy
On October 14, 2012, the world watched in awe as Austrian skydiver Felix Baumgartner jumped from the edge of space, pushing human limits to new frontiers. From speed records to sonic booms, this daring leap wasn’t just a stunt—it was a groundbreaking scientific endeavor. Here’s everything you need to know about Baumgartner’s space jump, including how long it took, the speed he reached, and the legacy it left behind.
. Who Is Felix Baumgartner?
Felix Baumgartner is an Austrian skydiver, BASE jumper, and daredevil known for his extreme feats. Prior to the Red Bull Stratos mission, he was already famous for parachuting from landmarks like the Petronas Towers and the Christ the Redeemer statue. But nothing compared to his most ambitious mission—jumping from 128,100 feet above Earth.
How High Did Felix Jump From?
Baumgartner jumped from an altitude of 128,100 feet (39,045 meters), which is approximately 24 miles (39 km) above the Earth’s surface. This jump from the stratosphere marked one of the highest altitude skydives in history.
How Long Did Felix Baumgartner Fall?
Felix Baumgartner fell for 4 minutes and 20 seconds in free fall before deploying his parachute. The entire descent, from jump to landing, took about 9 minutes and 3 seconds. His fall was long enough to allow him to accelerate past the speed of sound, making history in the process.
Did Felix Create a Sonic Boom?
Felix Baumgartner became the first human to break the sound barrier in free fall without the aid of a vehicle. While a sonic boom usually requires denser air to be heard, there was no clearly audible “boom” on the ground due to the thin atmosphere at his jump altitude. However, scientific instruments confirmed that he exceeded Mach 1.25, or 843.6 mph (1,357.6 km/h).
How Fast Did Felix Fall?
Baumgartner reached a maximum speed of 843.6 mph (1,357.6 km/h), exceeding the speed of sound (Mach 1). This made him the first person to go supersonic in free fall. His speed was achieved within just 50 seconds after jumping.
Has Anyone Beaten Felix Baumgartner’s Record?
Yes, in 2014, American Google executive Alan Eustace broke Felix’s altitude record. Eustace jumped from 135,890 feet (41,419 meters)—about 7,000 feet higher. However, Eustace’s fall wasn’t as fast (reaching Mach 1.23), and his mission was less publicized. Still, in terms of altitude, Eustace currently holds the record.
Who First Jumped From Space?
Before Baumgartner, Joseph Kittinger held the record for the highest parachute jump for over 50 years. In 1960, as part of a U.S. Air Force experiment, Kittinger jumped from 102,800 feet (31,300 meters). Interestingly, Kittinger served as Baumgartner’s mentor and mission control communicator during the Red Bull Stratos jump.
What Is the Longest Free Fall in History?
Although Baumgartner’s jump was record-breaking, the longest duration free fall belongs to Joseph Kittinger, who fell for 4 minutes and 36 seconds. Baumgartner’s free fall was slightly shorter in time because he fell faster due to higher altitude and less air resistance.
How Much Did Felix’s Jump Cost?
The Red Bull Stratos mission cost an estimated $20 million USD. The project was privately funded by Red Bull and involved a team of over 100 scientists, engineers, and medical professionals. The jump wasn’t just a publicity stunt—it was a valuable aerospace research experiment.
How Did He Fall So Fast?
Baumgartner’s high speed was due to the low air density at extreme altitude. In the stratosphere, there’s less drag, allowing objects to accelerate more rapidly. As he fell toward Earth and re-entered denser atmosphere, drag increased, eventually slowing him down to safe speeds before parachute deployment.
His suit was also specially designed for aerodynamic stability and pressure regulation. Without it, he could have spun uncontrollably or suffered from hypoxia, pressure loss, or blackout.
How Long Did It Take to Reach Earth?
From the moment he jumped to landing on the New Mexico desert, the entire descent took 9 minutes and 3 seconds. The capsule ascended for over 2 hours to reach 128,100 feet, but the return was swift thanks to gravity—and a bit of supersonic speed.
Conclusion
Felix Baumgartner’s space jump was a historic achievement that captivated millions and changed the way we view human limits. His supersonic free fall, 24-mile descent, and precision landing will be remembered as one of the most extraordinary feats of courage, engineering, and human spirit. While others may beat his records, the global impact and inspiration of the Red Bull Stratos mission remains unmatched.
