After scheduling his jump for late April-early May, Fournier had to postpone it to late August-early September for technical reasons.

"The person in charge of organizing the jump had heart problems, and French medical authorities did not allow him to make a trip to Canada", a press service retained by Fournier explained in a statement Tuesday.

The former French paratrooper already delayed one of his promised high-speed jumps over the plains of Saskatchewan province last September because of poor weather.

He hopes to reach the desired altitude in a helium balloon, then jump and reach the speed of 1,500 kilometers (900 miles) an hour in 20 seconds. His descent is expected to continue six minutes and 25 seconds.

The speed of sound is 1,062 kilometers (about 638 miles) an hour.

"The recent tragedy of the space shuttle Columbia, which cost the lives of seven astronauts, reinforces my determination to prove that one can save human lives thanks to the equipment developed for my jump," Fournier said.

SPACE.WIRE