Red Bull Stratos was a space diving project involving Austrian skydiver Felix Baumgartner. On 14 October 2012, Baumgartner flew approximately 39 kilometres (24 mi) into the stratosphere over New Mexico, United States, in a helium balloon before free falling in a pressure suit and then parachuting to Earth. The total jump, from leaving the capsule to landing on the ground, lasted approximately ten minutes. While the free fall was initially expected to last between five and six minutes, Baumgartner deployed his parachute after 4 minutes and 19 seconds.

Reaching 1,357.64 km/h (843.6 mph)-Mach 1.25-Baumgartner broke the sound barrier on his descent, thus becoming the first human to do so without any form of engine power. Preliminary measurements show Baumgartner also broke two other world records. With a final altitude of 38,969 m (127,851 ft), Baumgartner broke the unofficial record for the highest manned balloon flight of 37,640 m (123,491 ft) previously set by Nicholas Piantanida. He also claims to have broken the record for the highest altitude jump, set in 1960 by retired USAF Colonel Joseph Kittinger, who was Baumgartner's mentor and capsule communicator at mission control. These claims are now subject to verification by the Fédération Aéronautique Internationale (FAI).

Baumgartner's jump was 65 years to the day after October 14, 1947, when Chuck Yeager broke the sound barrier for the first time in a piloted aircraft.

Felix Baumgartner - July 17 2025 ©Red Bull
Austrian skydiver, BASE jumper, and extreme sports athlete best known for his record-breaking “Red Bull Stratos” jump on October 14, 2012, when he leapt from a helium balloon in the stratosphere over New Mexico, USA, from an altitude of more than 39,000 meters. During this historic freefall, Baumgartner became the first person to break the sound barrier without vehicular power, reaching speeds of 1,357.64 km/h and setting multiple records for altitude and velocity. Celebrated for his audacious stunts throughout his career — including numerous BASE jumps from iconic locations — he stood as a symbol of both fearlessness and scientific advancement in the world of extreme sports. Baumgartner tragically died at age 56 in a paragliding accident in Porto Sant’Elpidio, Italy.