Red Bull Stratos was a high-profile space dive project that took place on October 14, 2012. It involved Felix Baumgartner, an Austrian skydiver, who ascended to an altitude of 39 kilometers (24 miles) using a helium-filled balloon. The mission aimed to break several records, including the highest freefall and the first human to break the sound barrier without an aircraft. During the descent, Baumgartner reached speeds of 1,357.6 km/h (843.6 mph), surpassing the speed of sound. The event was widely broadcasted and garnered significant media attention, showcasing advancements in aerospace technology and human endurance in extreme conditions.