JOERG MITTER/RED BULL STRATOS VIA ASSOCIATED PRESS

Pilot Felix Baumgartner of Austria celebrated with the project’s technical director, Art Thompson, after the mission.

Ross D. Franklin/associated press

Felix Baumgartner’s capsule rose under a helium balloon.

Ross D. Franklin/associated press

As the balloon rose, ground crew members waited to release the capsule.

Balazs Gardi/associated press

Baumgartner stepped out of his trailer and toward his capsule.

Stefan Aufschnaiter/Associated Press

Felix Baumgartner was seen in his capsule on a screen at mission control during his ascent.

Ross D. Franklin/associated press

Baumgartner’s mother, middle, watched with other family members as his capsule lifted off.

Stefan Aufschnaiter/associated press

Mission control monitored Baumgartner’s ascent to 128,000 feet.

REUTERS

Felix Baumgartner prepared to jump.

REUTERS

‘‘Sometimes we have to get really high to see how small we are,’’ Baumgartner said after his jump.

associated press/red bull stratos

Organizers said the descent lasted just over nine minutes, about half of it in free fall.

associated press/red bull stratos

The 43-year-old former military parachutist has promised this would be his final jump.