Felix Baumgartner’s space jump can now be seen in an amazing newly released first-person video.
The skydiver made history in October 2012 when he broke through the sound barrier after jumping from a balloon floating 24 miles above the Earth. Baumgartner hit speeds of more than 800 mph during his approximately 128,000 foot descent in becoming the first human to break the sound barrier in free fall.
With this jump, the daredevil set the altitude record for a manned balloon flight, parachute jump from the highest altitude, and greatest free fall velocity. He was in free fall for about four minutes.
As he prepared to jump, Baumgartner can be heard on this new crystal clear HD video saying “I wish you could see what I can see. Sometimes we have to get really high to see how small we are.” As he jumps off the platform, he says simply “I’m going home now.”
During his descent, he also reports almost blacking out after being in a violent spin, but fortunately things stabilized and everything work out okay. “Felix, we are so proud of you. You did absolutely fabulous,” one of the Red Bull Stratos controllers says over the communications network.
The new video also contains archival footage of Air Force Capt. Joseph Kittinger, the previous record holder, who jumped from 19.5 miles in 1960.
According to GoPro HD camera company, “GoPro was honored to be a part of this epic achievement, with seven HERO2 cameras documenting every moment. From the airless freeze of outer space, to the record-breaking free fall and momentous return to ground — see it all through Felix’s eyes as captured by GoPro, and experience this incredible mission like never before. No one gets you closer than this.”
The eight-minute sequence is apparently being released at the same time as a 30-second GoPro Super Bowl commercial.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qEsIMp67pyM
