Skydiver Felix Baumgartner has broken records for jumping off some of the world’s highest buildings and bridges. In 2003, he became the first to cross the English Channel with a carbon wing. In 2003, he became the first person to cross the English Channel with a carbon wing.

Baumgartner’s next stunt is to set the world records for the highest, fastest, and longest skydive, from 23 miles above Earth.

1. Baumgartner will ride up to the edge of Earth’s atmosphere in a capsule attached to a high-altitude balloon. 2.He will jump from the balloon, and then he will plummet toward Earth at supersonic speeds. 3.He’ll deploy a parachute to land safely on the ground. 2. He will jump from the balloon, and then he will plummet toward Earth at supersonic speeds. 3. He’ll deploy a parachute to land safely on the ground.

To pull off this fantastic high dive, Baumgartner must wear a pressurized suit, which took two years to develop. To pull off this fantastic high dive, Baumgartner must wear a pressurized suit that took two years to develop. The suit will also protect him from freezing -60ºC (-76ºF) temperatures during his jump. The suit will also protect him from the freezing -60ºC (-76ºF) temperatures during his jump.

Baumgartner plans to leap from the layer of Earth’s atmosphere that is directly above the troposphere, where humans live. What is the name of the atmospheric layer from which Baumgartner will jump?

What are some of Baumgartner’s records so far? What records does Baumgartner hope to break with his jump from the stratosphere? What obstacles might Baumgartner need to prepare for before his record attempt? Learn more about Baumgartner’s skydive, with this video.video Then, read “Leap From Space” in the September 6, 2010, issue of Science World. Turn to page 8.

Does your class have the right stuff? Have each student design and build a paper airplane from a sheet of paper. Then, take the class outside and test whose plane flies the farthest. Take it further by making your own Guinness-World-Records-style book. Make entries for the paper airplanes that are the fastest, lightest—or any other records the class can come up with! Scholastic Classroom Magazines. Cover and Page 3: ©Luke Aikins for Red Bull Stratos; Page 2: ©Ulrich Grill/Reuters; Pages 4-5 and 8: All photos ©Garth Milan for Red Bull Stratos; Page 6: Colin Hayes; Page 7: Courtesy Red Bull Stratos