Gallery: 'Fearless Felix' Falls 24 Miles To Earth
01red-bull-stratos-screengrab
02red-bull-stratos-02
*Felix Baumgartner collects his thoughts in his trailer before heading for his capsule for his ascent to the stratosphere.* Photo: Jörg Mitter/Red Bull Content Pool
03red-bull-stratos-08
*Baumgartner gets a little help suiting up for his jump.* Photo: Jörg Mitter/Red Bull Content Pool
04red-bull-stratos-05
*Baumgartner heads for his capsule, which is suspended by a crane as the balloon is inflated.* Photo: Red Bull Content Pool
05red-bull-stratos-07
*Baumgartner steps into his capsule, where he would spend more than two hours ascending to more than 125,000 feet for his stratospheric jump.* Photo: Red Bull Content Pool
06red-bull-stratos-01
*We have liftoff. The capsule, suspended by a crane, about to begin its ascent. The lines attached to the capsule lead to the massive balloon, already aloft at this point.* Photo: Red Bull Content Pool
07red-bull-stratos-06
*The balloon, filled with 180,000 cubic feet of helium, climbing. The crane rolled forward with the capsule until the line was perpendicular to the ground, then released the capsule.* Photo: Predrag Vuckovic/Red Bull Content Pool
08red-bull-stratos-03
*Eva Baumgartner watches her son reach for the heavens. His parents ventured beyond Europe for the first time to see their son set a record for the world's highest skydive.* Photo: Stefan Aufschnaiter/Red Bull Content Pool
09red-bull-stratos-04
*Members of Baumgartner's ground crew cheer the launch of the Red Bull Stratos capsule.* Photo: Red Bull Content Pool
10red-bull-stratos-13
*Baumgartner steps into the void from 24.2 miles up.* Photo: Red Bull Content Pool
11red-bull-stratos-jump-14
*Felix Baumgartner, "coming home" from 24 miles above the earth. He nailed the landing, too.*
12felix-baumgartner-free-fall
*Baumgartner, headed home and approaching Mach 1.24.* Photo: Red Bull Content Pool
13red-bull-stratos-jump-09
*Mission Control watches Baumgartner's amazing dive from 24.2 miles up.* Photo: Stefan Aufschnaiter/Red Bull Content Pool
14red-bull-stratos-10
*Although Baumgartner jumped from 128,097 feet, he didn't deploy his parachute until he was at about 6,000 feet.* Photo: Red Bull Content Pool
15red-bull-stratos-12
*He nailed the landing, landing squarely on both feet before falling to his knees and raising his fists to the sky.* Photo: Predrag Vuckovic/Red Bull Content Pool
16red-bull-stratos-11
*Baumgartner and technical director Art Thompson celebrate the daredevil's safe return.* Photo: Jörg Mitter/Red Bull Content Pool
Breathe Easy Thanks to the Best Air Purifier for Every Home
Protect your home against dust, pets, allergies, and more with the best air purifiers, tested firsthand.
Molly Higgins
The Best Duffel Bags for Commuters and Chronic Overpackers
Need to schlep some stuff? These field-tested duffels can handle your baggage.
Louryn Strampe
The WIRED Guide to Los Angeles for Business Travelers
A tech industry guide to where to stay, eat, work, and play while visiting LA.
Jordan Michelman
The Best Travel Toiletry Bags for Every Trip
Our team evaluated a ton of toiletry bags to find the best storage, organization, and design options for all your essentials.
Kat Merck
Quell the Heat With Our Favorite Window Air Conditioners
These are the AC units we’ve trusted to cool our homes for months, if not years.
Matthew Korfhage
The Best Wireless Chargers to Refuel Your Phone (or Watch)
Stop fumbling for cables in the dark. These WIRED-tested stands and pads will take the hassle out of refueling your phone, wireless earbuds, and watch.
Simon Hill
The Best Meal Kits of 2026, Tested by a Former Restaurant Critic
Here are the best meal kits in 2026, including Martha Stewart’s delivery box, a GLP-1–supportive plan, and a budget-friendly option.
Matthew Korfhage
This Year’s Best Father’s Day Gifts for the Man Who Says He Doesn’t Need Anything
Dads are traditionally tough to shop for—let me help with these handpicked gift ideas for fathers with great taste.
Martin Cizmar
The Dyson Vacuums Worth Buying
Feeling the pull of a new clean machine? We’ll help you make sense of Dyson’s whirlwind vacuum lineup.
Nena Farrell
All the Best Vacuum Cleaners We’ve Ever Tried
Looking for all our top recommended vacuums? Here are our favorites in every style we’ve tested, from stick vacs to robot vacuums.
Nena Farrell
The Romance Scammer Who Made a Small Fortune Posing as a WWE Superstar
In this excerpt from WIRED Book Club pick The Yahoo Boys, journalist Carlos Barragán traces one scammer’s journey from flop to fortune.
Carlos Barragán
The Best Computer Speakers for Jamming Out in Your Home Office
These WIRED-tested computer speakers, from stereo speakers to surround sound, will suit any budget.
Simon Hill