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Skydiver attempts supersonic jump

The capsule and attached helium balloon carrying Felix Baumgartner lifts off as he attempts to break the speed of sound with his own body by jumping from a space capsule lifted by a helium balloon, Oct. 14, 2012, in Roswell, N.M. Baumgartner plans to jump from an altitude of 120,000 feet, an altitude chosen to enable him to achieve Mach 1 in free fall, which would deliver scientific data to the aerospace community about human survival from high altitudes.(AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) ORG XMIT: NMRF106
The capsule and attached helium balloon carrying Felix Baumgartner lifts off as he attempts to break the speed of sound with his own body by jumping from a space capsule lifted by a helium balloon, Oct. 14, 2012, in Roswell, N.M. Baumgartner plans to jump from an altitude of 120,000 feet, an altitude chosen to enable him to achieve Mach 1 in free fall, which would deliver scientific data to the aerospace community about human survival from high altitudes.(AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) ORG XMIT: NMRF106
Ross Franklin, AP
Felix Baumgartner steps into the capsule that will carry him to the edge of space. He aims to become the first human to break the sound barrier in freefall.
Felix Baumgartner steps into the capsule that will carry him to the edge of space. He aims to become the first human to break the sound barrier in freefall.
Balazs Gardi, Redbullcontentpool.com Via AFP/Getty Images
Pilot Felix Baumgartner of Austria prepares in his trailer for his second attempt to make a record-breaking jump from the edge of space.
Pilot Felix Baumgartner of Austria prepares in his trailer for his second attempt to make a record-breaking jump from the edge of space.
Jorg Mitter, Redbullcontentpool.com Via AFP/Getty Images
Felix Baumgartner's mother Ava Baumgartner, middle, watches with other family members and friends as his capsule lifts off as he attempts to break the speed of sound with his own body by jumping from a space capsule lifted by a helium balloon, Oct. 14, 2012, in Roswell, N.M.
Felix Baumgartner's mother Ava Baumgartner, middle, watches with other family members and friends as his capsule lifts off as he attempts to break the speed of sound with his own body by jumping from a space capsule lifted by a helium balloon, Oct. 14, 2012, in Roswell, N.M.
Ross Franklin, AP
Felix Baumgartner, in his pressurized suit, prepares to enter the balloon capsule in Roswell, N.M. on Tuesday, Oct. 9, 2012. Baumgartner's world-record-breaking attempt for highest, fastest skydive and longest freefall was aborted due to weather and may be attempted later this week.
Felix Baumgartner, in his pressurized suit, prepares to enter the balloon capsule in Roswell, N.M. on Tuesday, Oct. 9, 2012. Baumgartner's world-record-breaking attempt for highest, fastest skydive and longest freefall was aborted due to weather and may be attempted later this week.
Matt York, AP
Skydiver Felix Baumgartner, seen in January 2010, will attempt to break the sound barrier in a 23-mile jump from the edge of space.
Skydiver Felix Baumgartner, seen in January 2010, will attempt to break the sound barrier in a 23-mile jump from the edge of space.
Red Bull Via AP
Retired U.S Air Force pilot Joe Kittinger, left, and Felix Baumgartner greet each other during one of the tests for Baumgartner's mission. Kittinger holds the records for having the highest, fastest and longest skydive, from a height greater than 19 miles.
Retired U.S Air Force pilot Joe Kittinger, left, and Felix Baumgartner greet each other during one of the tests for Baumgartner's mission. Kittinger holds the records for having the highest, fastest and longest skydive, from a height greater than 19 miles.
Christian Pondella, Red Bull, Via AP
Felix Baumgartner of Austria prepares to jump during his first manned test flight over Roswell, N.M., on March 15, 2012.
Felix Baumgartner of Austria prepares to jump during his first manned test flight over Roswell, N.M., on March 15, 2012.
Jay Nemeth, Red Bull, Via AP
Felix Baumgartner celebrates after landing in the desert on his second test flight where he skydived from an altitude of more than 18 miles, nearly three times higher than cruising jetliners, on July 25, 2012. His top speed was an estimated 536 mph, said Brian Utley, an official observer on site.
Felix Baumgartner celebrates after landing in the desert on his second test flight where he skydived from an altitude of more than 18 miles, nearly three times higher than cruising jetliners, on July 25, 2012. His top speed was an estimated 536 mph, said Brian Utley, an official observer on site.
Red Bull Via AP
In this March 15, 2012, photo provided by sponsor Red Bull, Felix Baumgartner prepares to jump during his first test flight over Roswell, N.M.
In this March 15, 2012, photo provided by sponsor Red Bull, Felix Baumgartner prepares to jump during his first test flight over Roswell, N.M.
Jay Nemeth, Red Bull, Via AP
Felix Baumgartner makes a 25,000-foot high test jump for Red Bull Stratos in 2010. His pressurized suit is similar to those used by astronauts.
Felix Baumgartner makes a 25,000-foot high test jump for Red Bull Stratos in 2010. His pressurized suit is similar to those used by astronauts.
Luke Aikins, Red Bull, Via AP
Felix Baumgartner sits in his capsule during preparation for the final test flight of Red Bull Stratos in Roswell, N.M., on Oct. 6. Baumgartner will use a capsule attached to a ballon 55 stories tall to reach his jumping altitude of 120,000 feet.
Felix Baumgartner sits in his capsule during preparation for the final test flight of Red Bull Stratos in Roswell, N.M., on Oct. 6. Baumgartner will use a capsule attached to a ballon 55 stories tall to reach his jumping altitude of 120,000 feet.
Joerg Mitter, Red Bull, Via AP
A balloon carries the skydiver during a test flight on July 25, 2012, over Roswell, N.M.
A balloon carries the skydiver during a test flight on July 25, 2012, over Roswell, N.M.
Joerg Mitter, Red Bull, Via AP
Red Bull pilot Felix Baumgartner of Austria sits in his capsule during a test on Oct. 6.
Red Bull pilot Felix Baumgartner of Austria sits in his capsule during a test on Oct. 6.
Joerg Mitter, Red Bull, Via AP
Felix Buamgartner displays a piece of the balloon, described as a "40-acre dry cleaner bag" that, when first filled, will stretch 55 stories high. The special, ultra-thin helium balloon is expected to carry Baumgartner 23 miles into the stratosphere for what he hopes will be a history-making, sound barrier-breaking skydive.
Felix Buamgartner displays a piece of the balloon, described as a "40-acre dry cleaner bag" that, when first filled, will stretch 55 stories high. The special, ultra-thin helium balloon is expected to carry Baumgartner 23 miles into the stratosphere for what he hopes will be a history-making, sound barrier-breaking skydive.
Joerg Mitter, Red Bull, Via AP
U.S. Air Force Capt. Joseph Kittinger Jr. sits in gondola after his first parachute test jump in Alamogordo, N.M., on Nov. 16, 1959. At left is David Willard, who designed and developed special equipment for the gondola.
U.S. Air Force Capt. Joseph Kittinger Jr. sits in gondola after his first parachute test jump in Alamogordo, N.M., on Nov. 16, 1959. At left is David Willard, who designed and developed special equipment for the gondola.
U.S. Air Force Via AP
Col. Joe Kittinger steps off a balloon-supported gondola at an altitude of 102,800 feet on Aug. 16, 1960. In freefall for 4.5 minutes at speeds up to 614 mph and temperatures as low as -94 degrees Fahrenheit, he opened his parachute at 18,000 feet.
Col. Joe Kittinger steps off a balloon-supported gondola at an altitude of 102,800 feet on Aug. 16, 1960. In freefall for 4.5 minutes at speeds up to 614 mph and temperatures as low as -94 degrees Fahrenheit, he opened his parachute at 18,000 feet.
U.S. Air Force Via AP
Air Force Capt. Joseph Kittinger Jr. waits in the open balloon gondola, right, while two million-cubic-foot polyethylene balloons are filled with helium for the Excelsior I test jump at White Sands Missile Range, N.M. Kittinger made the first free-fall parachute jump at an altitude of 76,400 feet, setting a record at the time.
Air Force Capt. Joseph Kittinger Jr. waits in the open balloon gondola, right, while two million-cubic-foot polyethylene balloons are filled with helium for the Excelsior I test jump at White Sands Missile Range, N.M. Kittinger made the first free-fall parachute jump at an altitude of 76,400 feet, setting a record at the time.
AP
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