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FIRST POSTED: THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2012 01:13 PM EDT | UPDATED: FRIDAY, OCTOBER 05, 2012 07:13 PM EDT
Pilot Felix Baumgartner of Austria, is seen during the first manned test flight for Red Bull Stratos in Roswell, New Mexico, USA in this February 23 2012 photo provided by Red Bull.
Skydiver Felix Baumgartner performs a test jump ahead of his attempt next week to leap and break the speed of sound in a freefall. Picture: Show More Source: Supplied
Felix Baumgartner prepares to jump during the first manned test flight for Red Bull Stratos over Roswell. (AP Photo/Red Bull Stratos, Jay Nemeth) Source: AP
A MAN'S attempt to become the first to break the speed of sound with his own body from 120000 ft above Earth has been delayed by a day.
The latest weather report has indicated that a cold front with overly strong winds is set to hinder the three-day countdown for the Red Bull Stratoslaunch with the ultimate flight postponed from October 8 to Tuesday October 9.
The mission, set to take place in Roswell, New Mexico, will see athlete Felix Baumgartner attempt a record-breaking freefall from 120,000 feet above the Earth.
The reason for the delay is a strong cold front with sharply colder temperatures, low clouds and some drizzle that will be moving through eastern New Mexicoover the weekend.
While the weather will greatly improve on Monday with clearing skies and warmer temperatures, wind speeds are expected to be above acceptable levels for a safe launch.
Red Bull Stratos meteorologist Don Day said Baumgartner will launch with the largest manned balloon in history: 550 feet/ 168 meters high at the start with a volume of 30 million cubic feet/850.000 cubic metres.
Felix Baumgartner
Red Bull Stratos Felix Baumgartner performs a test jump ahead of his attempt next week to leap and break the speed of sound in a freefall. Picture: Red Bull Source: AP
"The good news is that we usually have a day or two after this type of cold front moves through where the weather can be favorable for a balloon launch", Don Day said.
The delay does not influence the preparations and a dress rehearsal will still go ahead.Felix Baumgartner
Pilot Felix Baumgartner of Austria seen during the first manned test flight for Red Bull Stratos in Roswell, New Mexico, USA on February 23 2012. Photo: Red Bull Source: AP
Ideal weather conditions are essential for the launch because of the delicate eight-hour long process of laying out and pumping helium into the 55-storey high balloon that will carry Baumgartner and his over 1,300-kg space capsule to the stratosphere.
Felix Baumgartner
Pilot Felix Baumgartner of Austria seen during the first manned test flight for Red Bull Stratos in Roswell, New Mexico, USA on February 23 2012. Photo: Red Bull Source: AP
The balloon, the largest ever used made for manned flight, was constructed out of strips of high-performance polyethylene, a plastic film.
These strips would cover 40 acres if they were laid out flat on the ground.
Felix Baumgartner
Felix Baumgartner, left, shakes hands with United States Air Force Col. (Ret.) Joe Kittinger, right, following the Red Bull Stratos press conference in New York announcing Baumgartner's plan to attempt to become the first person ever to break the speed of sound with the human body. (AP Images for Red Bull Stratos, David Goldman) Source: AP
The balloon's height when it reaches jump altitude will be 334 feet (102 metres), with a diameter of 424 feet (129 metres).
