ROSWELL, NEW MEXICO USA: The Red Bull Stratos team recently announced that they are moving into the final preparation phase of their long anticipated mission as Felix Baumgartner attempts to break the 52-year-old record for the longest free-fall jump from the edge of space.

Scheduled to take place in Roswell, New Mexico, later this year, Red Bull Stratos will see Felix jump from the edge of space as he attempts to break four records that have stood for over half a century. These include the highest manned balloon flight (120,000ft/36,000 metres); freefall from the highest altitude (120,000ft/36,000 metres); becoming the first person to hit supersonic speed whilst in freefall (approximately 690mph); and the longest free-fall duration. Felix wants to become the first person to break the speed of sound without the protection of an aircraft while simultaneously collecting data never obtained before for the advancement of medical science.

The team has completed a key test within a pressure chamber at the Brooks City base in Texas. They successfully simulated the mission in the same hostile ‘pressure’ environment that Felix will experience on the final flight. The pressure chamber went as close as it could get to near space conditions without leaving earth, which meant the team was able to verify their equipment (the suit and capsule) was safe for lift off.

Assisting him in his attempt to jump from the edge of space is a team of engineers and scientists who have devoted the past five years to developing the equipment and security protocols required to support this challenge. Amongst this team is Col Joe Kittinger, whose record Felix will be trying to break following his 102,800 ft jump in 1960.