Man who broke the speed of sound jumping from space to Earth shares the one 'very alarming' moment he faced
Published on Jul 08, 2025 at 8:14 PM (UTC+4)
by Henry Kelsall
Last updated on Jul 09, 2025 at 10:53 AM (UTC+4)
Edited by
Emma Matthews
Felix Baumgartner, who broke the speed of sound jumping from space to Earth, has shared the one ‘very alarming’ moment he faced during the endeavor.
Baumgartner stunned the world with his amazing dive from the Red Bull Stratos in October 2012, and he celebrated 10 years since the achievement in 2022.
Around eight million people watched the event on YouTube. Baumgartner successfully broke the speed of sound while jumping from space to Earth, but returned safely.
In a 2022 interview, Baumgartner revealed the one moment that he found ‘very alarming’ as he took on his dive back to Earth.
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What Baumgartner found alarming as he broke the speed of sound
The project was initially supposed to take 24 months, but it actually took six years in total to complete.
After he jumped from the Stratos capsule, Baumgartner found himself slowly spinning around in one direction.
He then started spinning in the other direction, and eventually, he spun faster and faster.
“This was a very alarming moment because there is no protocol,” the skydiver told CNN.
While spinning, Baumgartner reached a speed of 843.6mph, 1.25 times the speed of sound.
As he continued to fall, the air became thicker, and he then started to enjoy the dive as he stabilized.
Felix Baumgartner’s record has now been broken
Alan Eustace is the current skydive record holder, breaking Baumgatner’s record in 2014.
He jumped from 135,890ft, with the dive lasting 15 minutes.
Baumgartner lost the highest altitude record to Eustace but still holds two records from his jump.
These are the vertical free-fall distance without a drogue parachute and the vertical speed without a drogue.
His jump, though, still captures people’s imaginations, even 13 years after it took place.
Getting him up into the stratosphere was tough, with a giant helium balloon needed to get the capsule to the right height.
His pressure suit had to withstand temperatures as low as minus 97.6° Fahrenheit.
Even though his altitude record was broken, Baumgartner jumping from space to Earth is the record everyone remembers.
And he’ll never forget that alarming feeling of spinning wildly out of control!
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Henry is a content writer with nearly ten years experience, having written for various publications since 2017. Qualifying with a Sports Journalism degree from Staffordshire University, Henry loves all things automotive but has a particular soft spot for classic Japanese cars and anything Lancia. He also has a curious passion for steam locomotives.
