Skydiver to jump from space edge

DAREDEVIL Felix Baumgartner is preparing for a life-threatening jump from the edge of space, it was announced yesterday.

Freefall jumper Baumgartner intends to plummet 125,000ft to the ground, which should see him break the sound barrier, for a challenge to be filmed by the BBC.

He will jump with the aid of just a thin, parachute-like balloon, a spokesman for BBC2 said.

The jump, which is being sponsored by drink company Red Bull and assisted by engineers with experience at Nasa and the US air force, will be shown in a documentary as part of the BBC's 2010 celebration of science.