After his successful 13 Mile Space Jump last March, the Austrian daredevil Felix Baumgartner hopes to make his second attempt to become the first skydiver to break the sound barrier by jumping from a capsule floated more than 120,000 feet into the stratosphere by an ultra-thin, 55-story helium balloon. Baumgartner aborted his mission Tuesday due to high winds. The jump was postponed due to wind Monday, then aborted at the last minute Tuesday because of wind gusts.
The jump is being sponsored by energy drink maker Red Bull. The costs have not been disclosed. But Thompson said Wednesday the balloons cost several hundred thousand dollars each, and he estimated the team lost $60,000 to $70,000 in helium with the aborted jump.
The latest Red Bull Stratos Launch Progress says that weather still looks favorable for a launch Sunday Oct. 14th. Forecast: sunny, low: 47°F / high: 81°F, lightest winds in the morning.