Extreme Skydiver Plans 23-Mile Plunge To Break Sound Barrier on October 8, 2012(slate.com)
slate.com
Extreme Skydiver Plans 23-Mile Plunge To Break Sound Barrier on October 8, 2012
http://www.slate.com/blogs/trending/2012/10/02/felix_baumgartner_plans_23_mile_free_fall_to_break_the_sound_barrier_.html
And some more info about the balloons he's using:
The World’s Wildest Skydive Requires the World’s Biggest Balloon: http://www.wired.com/playbook/2012/10/red-bull-stratos-ballo...
I guess that answers my childhood question of why we just don't put a smaller rocket on board of a giant balloon, and ignite it when it's high enough.