Discovery News Covers RED BULL STRATOS MISSION Live Today, 10/8

Discovery News, a leading news source for those curious about the science behind technology, space, the Earth and its creatures, history and more, is the go-to source for coverage of the planned Red Bull Stratos mission today, October 8 in Roswell, New Mexico. In conjunction with Discovery Channel and Velocity, Discovery News will broadcast Austrian extreme sport athlete Felix Baumgartner's jump from 120,00 feet/36,576 meters - the highest altitude jump since a record set more than 52 years ago - live on both networks beginning at 9am ET. The mission goes beyond records and aims to collect scientific data for the advancement of aerospace safety.

Prior to Monday's scheduled jump, viewers are invited to DiscoveryNews.com for comprehensive coverage of the Red Bull Stratos mission in a special Discovery News Wide Angle, including:

Record-Breaking Supersonic Skydive Gets Go Ahead

Expert Skydiver Felix Baumgartner will be carried to 120,000 feet by his Red Bull Stratos balloon before a skydive attempt today, Oct. 8.

Thin Air, Big Mystery: Surviving High-Altitude Skydives

Joe Kittinger didn't jump from space in August of 1960 to set a record. He did it to prove pilots could survive a 23-mile fall.

Daredevil Baumgartner Survives 17-Mile Plunge

Baumgartner jumped from a balloon to freefall 17 miles back to Earth.

Free-Fallin': The Red Bull Stratos Challenge Hits a Legal Snag

The Red Bull Stratos record attempt suffered some legal setbacks in 2010.

Space Skydiver Suit Revealed

A 120,000-foot jump isn't something you can do with a conventional sky-diving suit and helmet.

Additionally, today, October 8, Discovery News Space Producer Dr. Ian O'Neill will be covering the launch live on Twitter from @Discovery_News. An astrophysicist and expert in space exploration, Dr. O'Neill will be providing insight and answering questions from viewers watching the events unfold live, along with updates from on Discovery Channel (@Discovery) and Velocity (@VelocityTV1).

About Discovery News:

Since 1998, Discovery News has been a leading producer of in-depth coverage and analysis of developments in technology, space and earth sciences. Part of the Discovery Communications family, Discovery News extends upon the company's mission to satisfy curiosity about the world, reporting on the science that matters to individuals and the global community. For more information on Discovery News and to connect on social media, please visit DiscoveryNews.com, connect at facebook.com/DiscoveryNews, and follow @Discovery_News on Twitter.

About Discovery Channel:

Discovery Channel is dedicated to creating the highest quality non-fiction content that informs and entertains its consumers about the world in all its wonder, diversity and amazement. The network, which is distributed to 100.8 million U.S. homes, can be seen in 210 countries and territories, offering a signature mix of compelling, high-end production values and vivid cinematography across genres including, science and technology, exploration, adventure, history and in-depth, behind-the-scenes glimpses at the people, places and organizations that shape and share our world. For more information, please visit www.discovery.com.

About Velocity:

Velocity, a division of Discovery Communications, Inc. (Nasdaq: DISCA, DISCB, DISCK), is the upscale men's cable network that provides thrilling HD programming for its viewers. Velocity programming is diverse, intelligent and engaging, with series and specials representing the best of the automotive, sports and leisure, adventure and travel genres. Formerly HD Theater, the fully HD network is available in approximately 40 million homes. For more information on Velocity, please visit Velocity.tv, on Facebook at facebook.com/VelocityTV or on Twitter at @VelocityTV1.

About Discovery Communications:

Discovery Communications (Nasdaq: DISCA, DISCB, DISCK) is the world's #1 nonfiction media company reaching more than 1.8 billion cumulative subscribers in 209 countries and territories. Discovery is dedicated to satisfying curiosity through 149 worldwide television networks, led by Discovery Channel, TLC, Animal Planet, Science and Investigation Discovery, as well as U.S. joint venture networks OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network, The Hub and 3net, the first 24-hour 3D network. Discovery also is a leading provider of educational products and services to schools and owns and operates a diversified portfolio of digital media services, including Revision3. For more information, please visit www.discoverycommunications.com.

About Red Bull Stratos:

Red Bull Stratos, created by Red Bull and Felix Baumgartner, is a mission to The Edge of space that will try to surpass human limits that have existed for more than 50 years. Supported by a team of experts, Felix Baumgartner will undertake a stratospheric balloon flight to more than 120,000 feet/36,576 meters and make a record-breaking freefall jump in the attempt to become the first man to break the speed of sound in freefall (an estimated 690 miles/1,110 kilometers per hour), while delivering valuable data for medical and scientific advancement.