La Federación Internacional de Aeronáutica (FAI) confirmó que el paracaidista austriaco Félix Baumgartner se convirtió hoy en el primer ser humano en romper la barrera del sonido en caída libre con su propio cuerpo.
El paracaidista alcanzó una velocidad de mil 342 kilómetros por hora, segundos después de saltar desde un globo aerostático a 39 mil metros de altura.
Baumgartner, de 43 años de edad, alcanzó 1.2 veces la velocidad del sonido antes de desplegar el paracaídas, informó Brian Utley, funcionario certificador de la FAI, en una rueda de prensa en Roswell, Nuevo Mexico.
Desde ese lugar despegó el globo que transportó al paracaidista a poco más de 39 kilómetros de altura, la mayor alcanzada hasta ahora por un aerostático tripulado.
El aventurero austriaco impuso también el récord de salto en paracaídas de mayor altura, al salir a los 39 mil 044 metros sobre la superficie de la tierra, de la cápsula presurizada transportada por el globo.
Baumgartner descendió en caída libre durante cuatro minutos y 19 segundos, y aunque no rompió el récord mundial de más tiempo en caída libre, si estableció el de mayor distancia, al bajar a lo largo de 36 mil metros sin abrir su paracaídas.
“Algunas veces tú tienes que ir realmente alto para entender qué tan pequeño es uno”, dijo Baumgartner en la rueda de prensa ofrecida luego de su salto en Roswell, Nuevo Mexico.
“Vivimos para vencer nuestros temores y perseguir sueños, para que nuestros intentos y logros hagan progresar a la humanidad”, señaló.
El salto de Baumgartner fue transmitido en vivo a través de Internet con imágenes captadas por unas 35 cámaras desde la superficie de la Tierra, así como otras colocadas en el interior y el exterior de la cápsula en la que hizo el ascenso de dos horas 36 minutos.
La transmisión permitió a millones de personas seguir paso a paso al histórico ascenso y la caída, que fueron seguidos de cerca por más de una treintena de expertos que conformaron el equipo de control instalado en Roswell.
Felix Baumgartner
This image made from video, provided by Red Bull Stratos shows pilot Felix Baumgartner of Austria as he jumps out of the capsule during the final manned flight for Red Bull Stratos on Sunday, Oct. 14, 2012. In a giant leap from more than 24 miles up, Baumgartner shattered the sound barrier Sunday while making the highest jump ever a tumbling, death-defying plunge from a balloon to a safe landing in the New Mexico desert. (AP Photo/Red Bull Stratos)
Felix Baumgartner (AUT) - Lifestyle
This image taken from a video monitor, provided by Red Bull Stratos, shows pilot Felix Baumgartner of Austria before he jumps out of the capsule during the final manned flight for Red Bull Stratos on Sunday, Oct. 14, 2012. In a giant leap from more than 24 miles up, Baumgartner shattered the sound barrier Sunday while making the highest jump ever a tumbling, death-defying plunge from a balloon to a safe landing in the New Mexico desert. (AP Photo/Red Bull Stratos, Jay Nemeth)
Felix Baumgartner (AUT) - Lifestyle
This image provided by Red Bull Stratos shows pilot Felix Baumgartner of Austria as he jumps out of the capsule during the final manned flight for Red Bull Stratos on Sunday, Oct. 14, 2012. In a giant leap from more than 24 miles up, Baumgartner shattered the sound barrier Sunday while making the highest jump ever a tumbling, death-defying plunge from a balloon to a safe landing in the New Mexico desert. (AP Photo/Red Bull Stratos)
Felix Baumgartner
This photo provided by Red Bull Stratos shows pilot Felix Baumgartner of Austria as he jumps out of the capsule during the final manned flight for Red Bull Stratos on Sunday, Oct. 14, 2012. In a giant leap from more than 24 miles up, Baumgartner shattered the sound barrier Sunday while making the highest jump ever a tumbling, death-defying plunge from a balloon to a safe landing in the New Mexico desert. (AP Photo/Red Bull Stratos, Jay Nemeth)
Felix Baumgartner
This photo provided by Red Bull Stratos shows pilot Felix Baumgartner, of Austria, preparing to jump from the capsule during the final manned flight for Red Bull Stratos, Sunday, Oct. 14, 2012. In a giant leap from more than 24 miles up, Baumgartner shattered the sound barrier Sunday while making the highest jump ever a tumbling, death-defying plunge from a balloon to a safe landing in the New Mexico desert. (AP Photo/Red Bull Stratos, Jay Nemeth)
Felix Baumgartner
Felix Baumgartner, of Austria, gestures prior to speaking with the media after successfully jumping from a space capsule lifted by a helium balloon at a height of just over 128,000 feet above the Earth's surface, Sunday, Oct. 14, 2012, in Roswell, N.M. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
Felix Baumgartner
Felix Baumgartner, of Austria, gives a thumbs up to Mission Control staff, family, and friends after successfully jumping from a space capsule lifted by a helium balloon at a height of just over 128,000 feet above the Earth's surface, Sunday, Oct. 14, 2012, in Roswell, N.M. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
Felix Baumgartner, Art Thompson
In this photo provided by Red Bull Stratos, pilot Felix Baumgartner of Austria and Technical Project Director Art Thompson, celebrate after successfully completing the final manned flight for Red Bull Stratos in Roswell, N.M., Sunday, October 14, 2012. Baumgartner came down safely in the eastern New Mexico desert minutes about nine minutes after jumping from his capsule 128,097 feet, or roughly 24 miles, above Earth. (AP Photo/Red Bull Stratos, Joerg Mitter)
In this photo provided by Red Bull, pilot Felix Baumgartner of Austria celebrates after his successful jump on Sunday, Oct. 14, 2012 in Roswell, N.M. Baumgartner came down safely in the eastern New Mexico desert minutes about nine minutes after jumping from his capsule 128,097 feet, or roughly 24 miles, above Earth (AP Photo/Red Bull Stratos, Predrag Vuckovic) MANDATORY CREDIT
Felix Baumgartner (AUT) - Action
In this photo provided by Red Bull, pilot Felix Baumgartner of Austria lands in the desert after his successful jump on Sunday, Oct. 14, 2012 in Roswell, N.M. Baumgartner came down safely in the eastern New Mexico desert minutes about nine minutes after jumping from his capsule 128,097 feet, or roughly 24 miles, above Earth (AP Photo/Red Bull Stratos, Predrag Vuckovic) MANDATORY CREDIT
In this photo provided by Red Bull Stratos, pilot Felix Baumgartner of Austria lands in the desert after his successful jump on Sunday, Oct. 14, 2012 in Roswell, N.M. Baumgartner came down safely in the eastern New Mexico desert minutes about nine minutes after jumping from his capsule 128,097 feet, or roughly 24 miles, above Earth (AP Photo/Red Bull Stratos, Predrag Vuckovic) MANDATORY CREDIT
Balloon - Action
This photo provided by Red Bull shows the balloon lifts up during the helium balloon carrying Felix Baumgartner, Sunday, Oct. 14, 2012, in Roswell, N.M. Baumgartner plans to jump from an altitude of 120,000 feet, an altitude chosen to enable him to achieve Mach 1 in free fall, which would deliver scientific data to the aerospace community about human survival from high altitudes.(AP Photo/Red Bull Stratos, Predrag Vuckovic, HO) MANDATORY CREDIT
Felix Baumgartner
In this photo provided by Red Bull Stratos, Pilot Felix Baumgartner of Austria celebrates after successfully completing the final manned flight for Red Bull Stratos in Roswell, N.M., Sunday, Oct. 14, 2012. Baumgartner came down safely in the eastern New Mexico desert minutes about nine minutes after jumping from his capsule 128,097 feet, or roughly 24 miles, above Earth. (AP Photo/Red Bull Stratos, Balazs Gardi)
In this photo provided by Red Bull, pilot Felix Baumgartner of Austria sits in his trailer during the final manned flight for Red Bull Stratos in Roswell, N.M. on Sunday, Oct. 14, 2012. Baumgartner plans to jump from an altitude of 120,000 feet, an altitude chosen to enable him to achieve Mach 1 in free fall, which would deliver scientific data to the aerospace community about human survival from high altitudes.(AP Photo/Red Bull Stratos, Joerg Mitter) MANDATORY CREDIT
In this photo provided by Red Bull, pilot Felix Baumgartner of Austria is seen in a screen at mission control center in the capsule during the final manned flight for Red Bull Stratos in Roswell, N.M. on Sunday, Oct. 14, 2012. Baumgartner plans to jump from an altitude of 120,000 feet, an altitude chosen to enable him to achieve Mach 1 in free fall, which would deliver scientific data to the aerospace community about human survival from high altitudes.(AP Photo/Red Bull Stratos, Stefan Aufschnaiter) MANDATORY CREDIT
Felix Baumgartner (AUT) - Action
In this photo provided by Red Bull, pilot Felix Baumgartner of Austria lands in the desert after his successful jump on Sunday, Oct. 14, 2012 in Roswell, N.M. Baumgartner came down safely in the eastern New Mexico desert minutes about nine minutes after jumping from his capsule 128,097 feet, or roughly 24 miles, above Earth (AP Photo/Red Bull, Predrag Vuckovic)
In this photo provided by Red Bull, pilot Felix Baumgartner of Austria celebrates after his successful jump on Sunday, Oct. 14, 2012 in Roswell, N.M. Baumgartner came down safely in the eastern New Mexico desert minutes about nine minutes after jumping from his capsule 128,097 feet, or roughly 24 miles, above Earth (AP Photo/Red Bull, Predrag Vuckovic)
Felix Baumgartner (AUT) - Lifestyle
In this photo provided by Red Bull, Pilot Felix Baumgartner of Austria steps out from his trailer during the final manned flight for Red Bull Stratos in Roswell, N.M. on Saturday, Oct. 14, 2012. Baumgartner plans to jump from an altitude of 120,000 feet, an altitude chosen to enable him to achieve Mach 1 in free fall, which would deliver scientific data to the aerospace community about human survival from high altitudes.(AP Photo/Red Bull, Balazs Gardi)
Felix Baumgartner
In this photo provided by Red Bull, Pilot Felix Baumgartner of Austria jumps out from the capsule during the final manned flight for Red Bull Stratos in Roswell, N.M., Sunday, Oct. 14, 2012. Baumgartner came down safely in the eastern New Mexico desert minutes about nine minutes after jumping from his capsule 128,097 feet, or roughly 24 miles, above Earth. (AP Photo/Red Bull, Stefan Aufschnaiter)
In this photo provided by Red Bull, family members and friends, celebrate the successful jump of pilot Felix Baumgartner of Austria in Roswell, N.M. on Sunday, Oct. 14, 2012. Baumgartner came down safely in the eastern New Mexico desert minutes about nine minutes after jumping from his capsule 128,097 feet, or roughly 24 miles, above Earth (AP Photo/Red Bull Joerg Mitter)
Balloon - Action
This photo provided by Red Bull shows the balloon lifts up during the helium balloon carrying Felix Baumgartner, Sunday, Oct. 14, 2012, in Roswell, N.M. Baumgartner plans to jump from an altitude of 120,000 feet, an altitude chosen to enable him to achieve Mach 1 in free fall, which would deliver scientific data to the aerospace community about human survival from high altitudes.(AP Photo/Red Bull, Predrag Vuckovic, HO)
Eva Baumgartner
In this photo provided by Red Bull, Eva Baumgartner of Austria watches her son, Felix Baumgartner, as he attempts to break the speed of sound with his own body by jumping from a space capsule lifted by a helium balloon, Sunday, Oct. 14, 2012, in Roswell, N.M. Baumgartner landed safely on Earth after a 24-mile (38.6-kilometer) jump from high the stratosphere in a dramatic, daring feat that may also have marked the world's first supersonic skydive. (AP Photo/Red Bull, Stefan Aufschnaiter, HO)
In this photo provided by Red Bull, pilot Felix Baumgartner of Austria is seen in a screen at mission control center in the capsule during the final manned flight for Red Bull Stratos in Roswell, N.M. on Sunday, Oct. 14, 2012. Baumgartner plans to jump from an altitude of 120,000 feet, an altitude chosen to enable him to achieve Mach 1 in free fall, which would deliver scientific data to the aerospace community about human survival from high altitudes.(AP Photo/Red Bull, Stefan Aufschnaiter)
Felix Baumgartner (AUT) - Action
In this photo provided by Red Bull, pilot Felix Baumgartner of Austria is seen in a screen at mission control center in the capsule during the final manned flight for Red Bull Stratos in Roswell, N.M. on Sunday, Oct. 14, 2012. Baumgartner plans to jump from an altitude of 120,000 feet, an altitude chosen to enable him to achieve Mach 1 in free fall, which would deliver scientific data to the aerospace community about human survival from high altitudes.(AP Photo/Red Bull, Stefan Aufschnaiter)
The capsule, bottom left, and attached helium balloon carrying Felix Baumgartner lifts off as he attempts to break the speed of sound with his own body by jumping from a space capsule lifted by a helium balloon, Sunday, Oct. 14, 2012, in Roswell, N.M. Baumgartner plans to jump from an altitude of 120,000 feet, an altitude chosen to enable him to achieve Mach 1 in free fall, which would deliver scientific data to the aerospace community about human survival from high altitudes.(AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
A television crew films the capsule and attached helium balloon, at top of frame, carrying Felix Baumgartner lifting off as he attempts to break the speed of sound with his own body by jumping from a space capsule lifted by a helium balloon, Sunday, Oct. 14, 2012, in Roswell, N.M. Baumgartner plans to jump from an altitude of 120,000 feet, an altitude chosen to enable him to achieve Mach 1 in free fall, which would deliver scientific data to the aerospace community about human survival from high altitudes.(AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
Ava Baumgartner
Felix Baumgartner's mother Ava Baumgartner, middle, watches with other family members and friends as his capsule lifts off as he attempts to break the speed of sound with his own body by jumping from a space capsule lifted by a helium balloon, Sunday, Oct. 14, 2012, in Roswell, N.M. Baumgartner plans to jump from an altitude of 120,000 feet, an altitude chosen to enable him to achieve Mach 1 in free fall, which would deliver scientific data to the aerospace community about human survival from high altitudes.(AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
The capsule and attached helium balloon carrying Felix Baumgartner lifts off as he attempts to break the speed of sound with his own body by jumping from a space capsule lifted by a helium balloon, Sunday, Oct. 14, 2012, in Roswell, N.M. Baumgartner plans to jump from an altitude of 120,000 feet, an altitude chosen to enable him to achieve Mach 1 in free fall, which would deliver scientific data to the aerospace community about human survival from high altitudes.(AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
Felix Baumgartner
FILE - This photo provided by Red Bull Stratos shows pilot Felix Baumgartner of Austria reacting after his mission was aborted in Roswell, N.M., on Oct. 9, 2012. on Sunday, Oct. 14, 2012, mission control officials declared a "weather hold" until 8:15 a.m. MDT, and said that inflation of the balloon wouldn't begin until after that hold is lifted. Earlier, the launch team said they were aiming for the three-hour ascent to begin Sunday at 8 a.m. The jump was postponed twice last week because of high winds. (AP Photo/Red Bull Stratos, Joerg Mitter)
As the sun rises, workers prepare at the launch site, ahead of an attempt by Felix Baumgartner to break the speed of sound with his own body by jumping from a space capsule lifted by a helium balloon, Sunday, Oct. 14, 2012, in Roswell, N.M. Baumgartner plans to jump from an altitude of 120,000 feet, an altitude chosen to enable him to achieve Mach 1 in free fall, which would deliver scientific data to the aerospace community about human survival from high altitudes.(AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
A spotlight illuminates the capsule, ahead of an attempt by Felix Baumgartner to break the speed of sound with his own body by jumping from a space capsule lifted by a helium balloon, Sunday, Oct. 14, 2012, in Roswell, N.M. Baumgartner plans to jump from an altitude of 120,000 feet, an altitude chosen to enable him to achieve Mach 1 in free fall, which would deliver scientific data to the aerospace community about human survival from high altitudes.(AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
Don Day, Joe Kittinger, Art Thompson, Andy Walshe
From the left; Mission Control meteorologist Don Day, Capcom 1 skydive record holder Col. Joe Kittinger, Technical Project Director Art Thompson and High Performance Director Andy Walshe speak to the media Wednesday, Oct. 10, 2012, in Roswell, N.M., to announce a four-day hold on Felix Baumgartner's 23-mile-high jump attempt, with the earliest projection for a second jump being Sunday. Baumgartner is hoping to become the first skydiver to break the sound barrier by jumping from a capsule floated 23 miles into the stratosphere by 55-story helium balloon. (AP Photo/Matt York)
In this photo provided by Red Bull Stratos, the 55-story, ultra-thin helium balloon that was to carry extreme athlete Felix Baumgartner to his 23-mile free fall twists in the wind Tuesday, Oct. 9, 2012 in Roswell, N.M. A 25 mph gust of wind rushed so fast that it spun the still-inflating balloon as if it was a giant plastic grocery bag, raising concerns at mission control about whether it was damaged from the jostling. The jump will be postponed until at least Thursday. (AP Photo/Red Bull Stratos, Joerg Mitter)
Felix Baumgartner
This photo provided by Red Bull Stratos shows pilot Felix Baumgartner of Austria reacting after his mission was aborted in Roswell, N.M., Tuesday, Oct. 9, 2012. For the second straight day, extreme athlete Felix Baumgartner aborted his planned death-defying 23-mile free fall because of the weather, postponing his quest to become the world's first supersonic skydiver until at least Thursday. (AP Photo/Red Bull Stratos, Joerg Mitter)
The capsule, bottom left, and attached helium balloon carrying Felix Baumgartner lifts off as he attempts to break the speed of sound with his own body by jumping from a space capsule lifted by a helium balloon, Sunday, Oct. 14, 2012, in Roswell, N.M. Baumgartner plans to jump from an altitude of 120,000 feet, an altitude chosen to enable him to achieve Mach 1 in free fall, which would deliver scientific data to the aerospace community about human survival from high altitudes.(AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
Felix Baumgartner
El experimentado paracaidista y atleta extremo Felix Baumgartner espera dar literalmente el salto de su vida el martes, cuando intentará el salto más alto y veloz en la historia. Si sobrevive, el así apodado "Intrépido Félix" será el primer paracaidista en romper la barrera del sonido.
Felix Baumgartner
El experimentado paracaidista y atleta extremo Felix Baumgartner espera dar literalmente el salto de su vida el martes, cuando intentará el salto más alto y veloz en la historia. Si sobrevive, el así apodado "Intrépido Félix" será el primer paracaidista en romper la barrera del sonido.
El experimentado paracaidista y atleta extremo Felix Baumgartner espera dar literalmente el salto de su vida el martes, cuando intentará el salto más alto y veloz en la historia. Si sobrevive, el así apodado "Intrépido Félix" será el primer paracaidista en romper la barrera del sonido.
El experimentado paracaidista y atleta extremo Felix Baumgartner espera dar literalmente el salto de su vida el martes, cuando intentará el salto más alto y veloz en la historia. Si sobrevive, el así apodado "Intrépido Félix" será el primer paracaidista en romper la barrera del sonido.
Felix Baumgartner
El experimentado paracaidista y atleta extremo Felix Baumgartner espera dar literalmente el salto de su vida el martes, cuando intentará el salto más alto y veloz en la historia. Si sobrevive, el así apodado "Intrépido Félix" será el primer paracaidista en romper la barrera del sonido.
Felix Baumgartner
El experimentado paracaidista y atleta extremo Felix Baumgartner espera dar literalmente el salto de su vida el martes, cuando intentará el salto más alto y veloz en la historia. Si sobrevive, el así apodado "Intrépido Félix" será el primer paracaidista en romper la barrera del sonido.
Felix Baumgartner
El experimentado paracaidista y atleta extremo Felix Baumgartner espera dar literalmente el salto de su vida el martes, cuando intentará el salto más alto y veloz en la historia. Si sobrevive, el así apodado "Intrépido Félix" será el primer paracaidista en romper la barrera del sonido.
Felix Baumgartner
El experimentado paracaidista y atleta extremo Felix Baumgartner espera dar literalmente el salto de su vida el martes, cuando intentará el salto más alto y veloz en la historia. Si sobrevive, el así apodado "Intrépido Félix" será el primer paracaidista en romper la barrera del sonido.
Felix Baumgartner
El experimentado paracaidista y atleta extremo Felix Baumgartner espera dar literalmente el salto de su vida el martes, cuando intentará el salto más alto y veloz en la historia. Si sobrevive, el así apodado "Intrépido Félix" será el primer paracaidista en romper la barrera del sonido.
Felix Baumgartner
El experimentado paracaidista y atleta extremo Felix Baumgartner espera dar literalmente el salto de su vida el martes, cuando intentará el salto más alto y veloz en la historia. Si sobrevive, el así apodado "Intrépido Félix" será el primer paracaidista en romper la barrera del sonido.
El experimentado paracaidista y atleta extremo Felix Baumgartner espera dar literalmente el salto de su vida el martes, cuando intentará el salto más alto y veloz en la historia. Si sobrevive, el así apodado "Intrépido Félix" será el primer paracaidista en romper la barrera del sonido.
Felix Baumgartner, Joe Kittinger
El experimentado paracaidista y atleta extremo Felix Baumgartner espera dar literalmente el salto de su vida el martes, cuando intentará el salto más alto y veloz en la historia. Si sobrevive, el así apodado "Intrépido Félix" será el primer paracaidista en romper la barrera del sonido.
Felix Baumgartner
El experimentado paracaidista y atleta extremo Felix Baumgartner espera dar literalmente el salto de su vida el martes, cuando intentará el salto más alto y veloz en la historia. Si sobrevive, el así apodado "Intrépido Félix" será el primer paracaidista en romper la barrera del sonido.
El experimentado paracaidista y atleta extremo Felix Baumgartner espera dar literalmente el salto de su vida el martes, cuando intentará el salto más alto y veloz en la historia. Si sobrevive, el así apodado "Intrépido Félix" será el primer paracaidista en romper la barrera del sonido.
Felix Baumgartner
El experimentado paracaidista y atleta extremo Felix Baumgartner espera dar literalmente el salto de su vida el martes, cuando intentará el salto más alto y veloz en la historia. Si sobrevive, el así apodado "Intrépido Félix" será el primer paracaidista en romper la barrera del sonido.
Felix Baumgartner
El experimentado paracaidista y atleta extremo Felix Baumgartner espera dar literalmente el salto de su vida el martes, cuando intentará el salto más alto y veloz en la historia. Si sobrevive, el así apodado "Intrépido Félix" será el primer paracaidista en romper la barrera del sonido.
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Publicado: 14/10/2012 08:14 Actualizado: 15/10/2012 10:40