WATCH THAT FIRST STEP

In this Aug. 16, 1960 photo made available by the U.S. Air Force, Col. Joe Kittinger steps off a balloon-supported gondola at an altitude of 102,800 feet. In freefall for 4.5 minutes at speeds up to 614 mph and temperatures as low as -94 degrees Fahrenheit, he opened his parachute at 18,000 feet.

In this photo provided by Red Bull Stratos, Felix Baumgartner prepares to jump during the first manned test flight for Red Bull Stratos over Roswell, N.M. on Thursday, March 15, 2012. Baumgartner is more than halfway toward his goal of setting a world record for the highest jump. A spokesperson says the skydiver took a practice jump from more than 13 miles high over New Mexico. He's aiming for nearly 23 miles in the summer.