GoPro cameras allow users to record their movements during amazing feats of daring-do. But you might not believe the footage that GoPro has recently released. Skydiver Felix Baumgartner wore seven HD GoPro cameras during his record-setting 2012 space jump. Now, GoPro has released the absolutely incredible footage of the free fall toward Earth's surface.
In October 2012, Baumgartner launched himself from a balloon floating 24 miles above the Earth's surface. He then fell toward Earth, breaking the sound barrier on the way down. The record-breaking descent has now been released to the public in the new footage.
The video itself isn't for the faint of heart. It possesses the choppy quality that you might expect from footage that shows a man hurtling through the Earth's atmosphere. You can watch Baumgartner simply drop as the world stretches out below him. The sky itself is black, so high is Baumgartner above the Earth. In fact, the skydiver had to use a special suit complete with oxygen in order to make his daring trip.
"There it is. There's the world out there," said Baumgartner as he stepped out from the balloon. Later, he states. "Sometimes you have to be up really high to understand how small you are. I'm coming home now." He then salutes and drops out of the capsule.
The new footage actually aired during a 30-second Super Bowl spot, according to USA Today. It was a smart move on GoPro's part, despite the expenses associated with Super Bowl ads. The cameras showed the jump in startling quality. You can also view the entire jump online in the new eight-minute video.
Want to see the jump for yourself? Check out the video below, courtesy of YouTube.
