After setting a record mission rate of seven flights in 2009, launch attempts in the early months of this year experienced a series of frustrating postponements as engineers grappled with a faulty pressure regulator on the rocket's propellant system.

BBC: Ariane rocket completes flawless satellite launch

Today also marks the culmination of Red Bull Stratos, the mission to break the freefall record cooked up back in 2005 by Red Bull, Baumgartner and Joe Kittinger, who previously held the jumping world record and who guided Baumgartner in his fall yesterday.

FORBES: Baumgartner Jump: What Red Bull Gets Out Of It

It was the culmination of the very effective Red Bull Stratos marketing program a mission to break the 50-year-old skydiving freefall record that was conceived by Red Bull, Baumgartner and former record holder Joe Kittinger some seven years ago.

FORBES: Free Fall Helps Red Bull Market the Lifestyle

Assange, despite his claims to scientific journalism, emphasized to me that his mission is to expose injustice, not to provide an even-handed record of events.

NEWYORKER: No Secrets

That extra race revenue advances the Half Full mission of raising funds for cancer, as does Armstrong's cancer-battling track record, said Satola, adding that he would permanently trade USAT certification for Armstrong's participation.

WSJ: Triathlons Part Waters for Lance Armstrong

That mission quickly turned into a desire to pioneer a new wave of winged submarines that could reach record depths and revolutionize deep-sea exploration.

FORBES: Submarines For The Super-Rich