Famed magician David Blaine, known for his death-defying feats, has taken his tricks into the clouds with his latest project titled "Ascension."
Wearing only a harness and holding 52 helium-filled balloons, his projected altitude should have hit around 18,000 feet, but once he hit 23,000 feet, Blaine pulled the cord on his parachute and dove back to the ground.
YouTube funded the new project, that had been scheduled to take place in New York City but was rescheduled for Arizona, due to complications.
The balloons weren't just any normal balloons. They were equipped with remote capabilities, designed to be popped or deflated remotely as needed. One balloon, made of fiberglass, even held a parachute and oxygen.
The livestream began at 9 am ET, allowing viewers to see the training Blaine went through in order to successfully fly by balloon. He also learned how to skydive and cope with cold temperatures.
Blaine posted a video to Instagram, explaining his process and preparation for the impressive feat. "This is the most that I have ever prepared for any performance to date," he captioned the post.
"Here's a look at what's happening behind the balloons," he continued.
Blaine explained that he was inspired to do something beautiful for his 9-year-old daughter, Dessa.
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