Post by pieter on Oct 14, 2012 11:24:39 GMT -7
Austrian skydiver Felix Baumgartner has lifted off on his mission to break a series of freefall records.
His giant helium balloon left the ground at Roswell, New Mexico, a short while ago and climbed to 128,000ft (39km).
Baumgartner then jump out after as series of safetyprocedures.
The 43-year-old was hoping also to break the sound barrier during his descent - although that mark awaits confirmation.
Video cameras relayed the moment Baumgartner stepped from his balloon capsule to begin his fall to Earth.
It took 10 minutes for him to reach the desert surface below.
Only the last few thousand feet were negotiated by parachute.
Helicopter recovery teams have gone to the Austrian's landing site to return him to the mission control centre set up at Roswell airport.
Baumgartner's efforts have finally toppled records that have stood for more than 50 years.
I watched it live at the BBC and it was very exiting.
