Australian man to crack longest freefall record

Aussie Felix Baumgartner is preparing to break the record for the longest freefall. The record was set in 1960 at 31,333m by American Joe Kittinger. People have attempted to break it since; Nick Piantanida actually died in '69. 

Felix will be lifted to 36,575m in a helium balloon. He'll float up 3 hours and then step out - hoping to break the record for the highest parachute jump and fastest and longest freefall. He'll freefall for 6 minutes before opening his parachute at 1520m. 

The stunt is sponsored by Red Bull. There's no date set yet - it will depend on weather as well as Felix's training. He's currently training in extreme cold, vacuum chambers, and wind tunnels. He'll wear an airtight pressurized spacesuit. "It's human nature to want to go faster and further,"said Kittinger.

You can read more here. Via SBS World News.