Google Exec Makes Record Skydive From Edge Of Space

Washington (AFP) - A Google executive set a new record Friday by jumping successfully from near the top of the stratosphere -- some 135,000 feet, or 41,000 meters high, his project website said.The record dive by 57-year-old Alan Eustace, who is a "senior vice president of knowledge" at Google, was conducted as part of the Stratospheric Explorer project to allow manned exploration of the stratosphere above 100,000 feet.According to a statement from the Paragon Space Development Corporation, Eustace completed the four-hour mission over Roswell, New Mexico, using a specially designed space suit and balloon module to carry him to the stratosphere."Ascending at about 1,000 feet per minute, Alan achieved his target altitude in about two and a half hours," the statement said."He spent a short time, around a half hour, experiencing the wonders of the stratosphere before being released from the balloon.