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The Red Bull Stratos team this week reported progress in its effort to send a skydiver to 120,000 feet in a capsule beneath a helium balloon. Felix Baumgartner, who hopes to make a record-breaking jump from the edge of space, completed a series of test dives last month from about 26,000 feet, wearing the pressurized spacesuit he'll need for the flight. The test dives proved that some adjustments made to Baumgartner's gear after earlier tests had been effective. "I'm super satisfied with the result today," Baumgartner said. In another series of tests, he also practiced stepping off from the capsule as it was suspended above the ground, and tried some bungee jumps from 200 feet while wearing his spacesuit. Dr. Jonathan Clark, medical director of the project, says the planned flight is not just a publicity stunt but a serious scientific endeavor. "We're doing this as a demonstration that an upper-atmospheric bailout, freefall and re-entry are possible," he said.

Art Thompson, the mission's technical director, said the bungee jumps were an important test. "You wouldn't normally think of a bungee jump in terms of prepping for a high-altitude jump," he said, "but it gives Felix the sensation of what it's like to step off and try to control his forward rotation." The tests took place in Lancaster, Calif. The record jump is expected sometime later this year, and it will be broadcast live over the Internet. The current free-fall record has been held since 1960 by USAF Col. Joe Kittinger, who leapt from 102,000 feet. Now Col. Kittinger is helping the Red Bull team. For a video report from the team about the recent tests, click here.