Baumgartner eyes skydiving history in US

AFTER more than 50 years, a man will try to make history by becoming the first to successfully make a free fall dive from 120,000 feet.

Austrian skydiver Felix Baumgartner will try to accomplish the impossible on Oct. 8 (Oct. 9 in Manila) in New Mexico, USA.

Baumgartner is part of the Red Bull Stratos team, which is composed of professionals and National Aeronautics and Space Administration (Nasa) officers, including retired US Air Force Col. Joe Kittinger who in 1960, established a record skydive from 102,800 feet.

The team is aiming to write history in trying to complete the highest-manned balloon flight, longest time in free fall, reaching supersonic speed in free fall and free fall from highest altitude.

Kittinger will coach Baumgartner, who has been nominated for a World Sports Award and two categories in the NEA Extreme Sports Awards.