Scientist smashes space jump record

A computer scientist in the US has smashed the world altitude record for a free-fall parachute jump.

Alan Eustace was carried by a helium balloon to more than 26 miles above the Earth.

Then he leapt out in a specially designed space suit.

He passed the speed of sound on his way down, hitting a top speed of 830 miles an hour.

The previous record was set two years ago by Austrian Felix Baumgartner.