Austrian launches second attempt at supersonic freefall

Feb 7, 2012, 16:25 GMT

Vienna - An Austrian extreme sports athlete is trying to become the first person to break the sonic barrier by jumping from a balloon at 36 000 metres, his management said Tuesday, announcing his second attempt at the feat.

A spokeswoman said there was no scheduled date yet for Felix Baumgartner, 41, to attempt a freefall through the stratosphere and parachute back down to New Mexico in the United States.

'He is conducting the final tests,' she said, adding that the balloon would be launched once weather conditions were ideal.

Baumgartner's efforts were halted in late 2010 as the project ran into legal troubles, which have since been resolved.

At the same time, the athlete had to overcome psychological problems because he had panic attacks in the space suit he is to wear.

'Once the visor is closed, there is an oppressive silence and loneliness,' he was quoted as saying by The Red Bulletin magazine.

Baumgartner wants to break four records - for the highest manned balloon flight; the highest jump-off point; reaching supersonic speed and for the longest freefall, which is expected to last more than 5 minutes.

The previous record-holder is former US soldier Joseph Kittinger, who jumped from a balloon at 31 000 metres in 1960.

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