To see if it could be done. To test the equipment for future uses (the suit, the capsule, the human body). He was wearing all sorts of sensors and the data will apparently be used to test loads of things, such as testing whether high altitude flights can be safe - how long would pilots be able to survive, etc

It does but it'll be different.
At that altitude the air density is only a fraction of what it is 100,000ft lower so the air resistance is much less therefore his terminal velocity will be higher.

Simply falling with style.

The story, behind the story, tonight.

[urlhttp://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b01nts6t[/url

That was excellent.
Thought he was gonna bottle it at one point.

832MPH.