Record-breaking parachute leap to earth successful
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Washington - Austrian stunt daredevil Felix Baumgartner became the first human to travel faster than the speed of sound outside an aircraft on Sunday in a spectacular leap from a capsule lifted by helium balloon to 39 kilometres above the surface of the e
Baumgartner descended the last several kilometres by parachute and landed safely in an unpopulated area of New Mexico to cheers from his support team in a nearby facility that looked a lot like a NASA mission control centre.
A scene showing Baumgartner in a white space suit and helmet touching down on foot and taking several strides was broadcast on a special website set up by his sponsor, the energy drink Red Bull.
He dropped to his knees after landing and pumped his fists over his head in triumph. His feat also unofficially broke a 52-year-old record for the highest altitude jump and the record for the highest manned balloon ascent.//DPA
