Tuesday, 6th March 2012 - The Capsule

The Red Bull Stratos science team has confirmed that the capsule delivering Austrian sportsman Felix Baumgartner to the edge of space for his record-breaking freefall attempt is mission ready. Attached to a helium balloon, the capsule – which took five years to develop and weighs 1,315 kilogram fully loaded – will act as Baumgartner’s  life support system during his nearly three-hour ascent to 36,000 meters.

ROSWELL, New Mexico (United States) – Strapped into a chair custom made for his space suit, he’ll face a control panel of 89 switches … and one clear round door. While that door gives Baumgartner the best view in the stratosphere, it also puts just 1.3 centimeters of acrylic between him and the edge of space. When he rolls it open more than 36 kilometers above Earth, he will exit and attempt to become the first person to break the speed of sound in freefall. 

For more informtion please visit the Red Bull Stratos website www.redbullstratos.com