What We Can Learn From ‘Fearless’ Felix’s Supersonic Skydive

Felix Baumgartner, stepping into the void from 71,580 feet during a test jump in March. The Austrian adventurer plans a record-setting jump from 120,000 feet on Tuesday. Photo: Jay Nemeth/Red Bull Content Pool

Felix Baumgartner’s supersonic skydive from 23 miles up is many things: an attempt to set a record and, yes, an opportunity to sell a lot of Red Bull, but also a chance to learn more about free falling from extreme altitude — lessons that could be valuable as commercial space flight takes off.

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