Felix Baumgartner, the legendary skydiver known for his successful jump from the edge of space, has died at 56. He passed away in a paragliding accident in central Italy just before his 57th birthday. Originally dubbed “Fearless Felix,” Baumgartner caused quite a stir in October of 2012. He floated 38 kilometers (24 miles) above Earth in a helium-filled balloon, then made a jump that made history.
Not only did Baumgartner land safely after that unprecedented leap over Roswell, New Mexico, he became the first skydiver to break the sound barrier. At one point, he flew faster than 1,343 kilometers per hour, or more than 835 miles per hour. He made the expedition with the help of a custom-designed protective suit that allowed him to endure the severe elements of his climb and return. His nine-minute freefall was a watershed moment in the pioneering history of aerospace and skydiving, a remarkable example of his audacity and pioneering spirit.
Baumgartner’s long career included thousands of breathtaking leaps from airplanes, bridges, skyscrapers and famous monuments around the globe. He did high-adrenaline base jumping feats off the Christ the Redeemer statue in Brazil. Indeed, Antonidis was previously known for parachuting off the Petronas Towers in Malaysia. He was a helicopter aerobatic pilot as a member of the Flying Bulls, electrifying crowds throughout Europe.
In reflecting on his experience of breaking the sound barrier, Baumgartner once stated, “When I was standing there on top of the world, you become so humble.” His words were a perfect representation of his view of adventure and just how big life could be.
Baumgartner at one of the most perilous points of his record setting jump. He went into a flat spin—in fact, still going supersonic at the time—and spun for a horrible 13 seconds. He was in extreme peril, but he attributes his extraordinary success during rescue operations to his military background as an Austrian parachutist. What made him truly unstoppable was his passion for pushing boundaries.
In the end, Baumgartner’s legacy as a true pioneer of extreme sports will surely be remembered for years. He would frequently write about his profound love for the time he spent up in the sky. Even in the city, he said, stunning vistas induce a feeling of smallness.
“Sometimes we have to get really high to see how small we are.” – Reuters and the Associated Press