Dubai: Felix Baumgartner will go to the moon, if needed. But for the time-being he is content just doing his bit to assist humanity in any possible way, especially in the area of search and rescue operations, swapping space for mountains.
“For the time-being I am really not interested in another space adventure. But if it is needed I would do anything, even go to the moon, if they so desire,” Baumgartner told Gulf News during his visit on Friday to the FAI World Parachuting Championships Mondial 2012 Dubai that concludes at the SkyDive Dubai at The Palm Marina on Sunday.
“Since I was a child I always wanted to be a helicopter pilot and I achieved this dream six years back. And now, what is closest to my heart is to volunteer my services, time, energy and experience and put my skills to help humanity with search and rescue operations especially in the mountains,” the Austrian said.
On October 14, Baumgartner set the world record for skydiving an estimated 39 kilometres while reaching an approximate speed of 1,342 kph. In doing so, the Austrian daredevil also became the first person to break the sound barrier without vehicular power on his descent.
Describing his death defying leap from space, he said: “When I was out there on that external step it was such a very breathtaking and unique moment of my life. Simply because I could see the curve of the earth with the sky above totally black.
“And for a couple of seconds I allowed myself to really enjoy that moment because I realised that I am the only person in the world able to stand there,” Baumgartner recollected.
“But at the same time I had to hurry up because I was down to 10 minutes of Oxygen. I could not just stand there forever. I had to take that one step forward and believe me, it was an easy step for me because I was coming back home. Every foot, every metre that I was falling I was coming back closer to earth and that was such a unique and outstanding adventure,” he added.
His jump to earth from a helium-filled balloon in the stratosphere saw the 43-year-old Baumgartner smashed several records.
And the Salzburg native, now known as ‘Fearless Felix’ also knew that he was doing something unique in more ways than one.
“When I stood out in space it was an outstanding and a very unique time wrap. And when I stepped off it was all about business because I could not afford to think about anything else.
“I had to be so focused on what I was doing at that moment. I had to keep in mind that for five years we had been working to arrive to this unique moment and I could let this opportunity slip past by losing my focus,” he recalled.
“One step forward and I was falling at supersonic speed. Just imagine, before I took that step I did not know what to expect as it was the only time I was doing it,” Baumgartner added.
“At the end of it all, I am happy that I am still alive.”
