• Photo
In this Thursday, March 15, 2012 photo provided by Red Bull Stratos, Felix Baumgartner prepares to jump

In this Thursday, March 15, 2012 photo provided by Red Bull Stratos, Felix Baumgartner prepares to jump during the first manned test flight for Red Bull Stratos over Roswell, N.M. (AP Photo/Red Bull Stratos, Jay Nemeth)

  • More Featured Content
Boy Scouts approve plan to accept openly gay boys
Boy Scouts to accept openly gay youths

In one of their most dramatic choices in a century, local …

Photos: DIY backyard lighting projects
Photos: DIY backyard lighting projects

It's all about atmosphere, so light up that backyard gathering …

Hurricane forecast: Another busy Atlantic season
NOAA: Another busy hurricane season

Thursday's outlook calls for 13 to 20 named storms, 7 to 11 …

Red Carpet Style | Fast and Furious 6
Red Carpet Style | Fast and Furious 6

See the stars of the blockbuster franchise on the red carpet.

Thunderstorms slow Oklahoma tornado cleanup
Storms slow Oklahoma tornado cleanup

A band of thunderstorms battered the Oklahoma City area …

Advertisement

Skydiver fell faster than thought

'Fearless Felix' reached 843.6 mph on descent

Updated: Monday, 04 Feb 2013, 2:13 PM EST
Published : Monday, 04 Feb 2013, 2:13 PM EST

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. (AP) — Supersonic skydiver Felix Baumgartner was faster than he or anyone else thought when he jumped from 24 miles up.

According to the official numbers released Monday, the Austrian parachutist known as "Fearless Felix" reached 843.6 mph. That's equivalent to Mach 1.25, or 1.25 times the speed of sound.

His top speed initially was estimated last October at 834 mph, or Mach 1.24.

Either way, he became the first human to break the sound barrier with only his body.

Baumgartner was supersonic for a half-minute during the jump over New Mexico. His heart rate remained below 185 beats a minute, and his breathing was fairly steady.

The leap was from an altitude of 127,852 feet. That's 248 feet lower than estimates.

The jump was sponsored by Red Bull.

  • Comment Privately

Comment to 24 Hour News 8

Don't have a Facebook account? Or don't want to share something publicly? Email us here.

Report a comment

See a comment that should be moderated? Fill out the form here and tell us why.

Advertisement
Advertisement

Advertisement