Skydiver Felix Baumgartner Completes 18-Mile Jump

abc ^ | 7/25/12 | GINA SUNSERI and KEVIN DOLAK

[Nachum]

Daredevil Felix Baumgartner this morning landed from his 18-mile dive back to Earth from the edge of space, in a plummet that reached a speed of more than 500 mph.

Mission Control gave the go ahead this morning for the launch, saying "God Speed Felix" from Roswell, N.M., where the mission is being hosted. Baumgartner, an Austrian national, was lifted in a capsule carried afloat by a huge helium balloon.

Click Here for Pictures: Felix Baumgartner's Dive

The balloon took 90 minutes to get to 90,000 feet. The crane holding the capsule went up as fast as it could to get the capsule under the 210-foot tall balloon as it rose. After he jumped, Baumgartner was in freefall for five minutes. After five minutes, his parachute opened, at which point it took another seven to 10 minutes to descend to Earth. PHOTO: Felix Baumgartner is shown upon landing from his 18-mile dive back to Earth from the edge of space, in a plummet that reached a speed of 600 mph in 20 seconds. ABC Felix Baumgartner is shown upon landing from... View Full Size Skydiver Aims for the Edge of Space Watch Video 80-Year-Old Skydiver's Nightmare Jump Watch Video Skydiver Survives Fall Without Parachute Watch Video

"Fearless Felix" was in free fall for an estimated three minutes and 48 seconds. His top speed was approximately 536 mph, Brian Utley, an official observer on site, told The Associated Press.

[KevinB]

Yeah, the wing suits are very cool. A lot of those guys are dying, though. I think the best glide slope they can get is 2/1.

[Sarajevo]

Uh......your night jumps were a bit different from mine. On my first jump at Ft Benning I kept my eyes open. After that, they were all night jumps and I was pushed. ;)

[gorush]

I bet. I envy you that. :{)