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Still, Baumgartner's team remained optimistic about getting the mission off the ground. "From what we are looking at so far, we are on schedule (for Tuesday)," meteorologist Don Day said at a media briefing Sunday. Weather permitting, Baumgartner will be lifted into the stratosphere around 7 a.m. MDT by a helium balloon that will stretch 55 stories high. Once he reaches his target altitude, he will open the hatch of his capsule and make a gentle, bunny-style jump. Any contact with the capsule on his exit could break open the pressurized suit that will protect him from temperatures as low as minus 70 and a lack of oxygen. He hopes to reach a speed of 690 mph to break the sound barrier. Baumgartner, who has made more than 2,500 jumps from planes, helicopters, landmarks and skyscrapers over the past 25 years, promises this jump will be his last. He says he plans to settle down with his girlfriend and fly helicopters on mountain rescue and firefighting missions in the U.S. and Austria. ___ Online: Red Bull Stratos: National Museum of the U.S. Air Force:
http://www.redbullstratos.com/
http://tinyurl.com/2dsnn6
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