Baumgartner makes test skydive ahead of record attempt

26 July 2012 Last updated at 04:31 ET Help

An Austrian man has jumped from a balloon some 29km (18 miles) above the Earth in preparation for his attempt to make the world's highest skydive.

Felix Baumgartner leapt from the balloon in a space suit and was in free fall for nearly four minutes, reaching speeds of 862km/h (536mph), before opening his parachute and landing safely in the desert of New Mexico.

In a month's time, he is hoping to set a new record by jumping from 38km (23.6 miles) - breaking the speed of sound with his body.

The BBC's Sara Barman reports.

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