Col. Joe Kittinger 1960 World Record Skydive - Project Excelsior

Update 10/14/12, Felix Baumgartner broke Col. Kittinger’s world record for highest-ever skydive from more than 24 miles above Earth’s surface (128,100 ft.) — a benchmark that has lasted more than half a century. Col. Joseph Kittinger - human experiment for Project Excelsior (1960) - set world records for highest parachuting jump (102,800 ft. or 20 miles), longest free fall (4.5 min.), highest balloon jump and fastest speed (close to speed of sound) by a person through the atmosphere. All for experimental