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Around the World Ballooning Attempts |  | Updated: 17 July 2002 | Changes
This interesting review of around the world ballooning attempts was compiled by: [NAME], Vice-President, FAI Ballooning Commission, for a request by National Geographic magazine 1999. Updated July 2002 |  |  | Updated
Project, Attempt and Flight Numbering
Project numbering: To keep track of the history, each project has been given a number. This number is attached to the assigned commander of the planned flight. Changes in crew, sponsor or balloon does not affect this number. When Per Lindstrand/Richard Branson joined with [NAME] and changed main sponsor, the new project was however given a new number. The projects are listed in order of first appearance. Then the project development is listed in chronological order within each project.
Attempts: When a project has progressed to a point when an actual launch has been possible this has been counted as an attempt. The attempts are numbered in strict chronological order without regard to the project number.
Flights: All actual flights are also numbered in strict chronological order without regard to the project number.
1980 | 01 - Don Cameron | "ICI Innovation". Project presentation - (UK)
. | , | Announced plans in Aerostat June 1980. No current plans
. | Crew: | [NAME], [NAME], and [NAME]
, | Balloon: | AM Rozière Balloon Cameron
, | Information source: | Aerostat 94:3
1981-01-11 00:00:00 | 02 - Maxie Anderson | "[NAME]" - (USA)
. | . | Luxor, Egypt to Hansa, India.
Attempt no: 1 | Crew: | [NAME]
. | Balloon: | AA Gas Balloon
Flight no: 1 | Distance/Duration: | 2 676 miles --- 4 306 km --- 48 hours
. | Information source: | Aerostat 94:3
1981-12-20 00:00:00 | . | India.
Attempt no: 2 | Crew: | [NAME]
. | Balloon: | AA Gas Balloon
Flight no: 2 | Distance/Duration: | 20 miles --- 32 km
. | Information source: | Aerostat 94:3
1982-11-07 00:00:00 | . | Stratobowl, Rapid City, South Dakota to Midland, Ontario, Canada
Attempt no: 3 | Crew: | [NAME]
. | Balloon: | AA Gas Balloon
Flight no: 3 | Distance/Duration: | 1 162 miles --- 1 870 km --- 16 hours
. | Information source: | Aerostat 94:3
1984 | 03 - Julian Nott | "Explorer". Project presentation. - (UK)
. | . | Test of AS in 1984. Announced intention to launch from California 1988
. | Crew: | [NAME]
. | Balloon: | AS13 Superpressure Gas Balloon, 500 000 cu ft / 14 158 m3
. | Information source: | Aerostat 94:3
1988 | . | New project name: "Endeavour", Intention to launch from California 1988
1988 April | 04 - John Petrehn | (USA)
Attempt 4 | . | Mendoza, Argentina. Balloon inflated but never launched due to damage.
. | Crew: | Rowland Smith
. | Balloon: | AA & AX US Government surplus gas balloon with 240 000 cu ft Hot Air
. | . | Balloon mounted below. No true Rozière
. | Information source: | Aerostat 94:3
1989 | 05 - Joe Kittinger | Project presentation - (USA).
. | . | Originally announced plans for a Gas Balloon, now large Hot Air Balloon.
. | Crew: | Solo
. | Balloon: | AX Hot Air Balloon
. | Information source: | Aerostat 94:3
1990 | 06 - [NAME] | "Earthwinds Hilton". Project presentation. - (USA)
. | . | Plans 12 to 15 days at 32-35 000 feet. Four attempts so far, the first in 1992.
. | Crew: | [NAME], [NAME]
. | Balloon: | AA15 Raven. Gas Balloon with Anchor Balloon.
. | . | 1 100 000 cu ft / 31 150 m3 helium and 550 000 / 15 575 m3 cold air.
. | Information source: | Aerostat 94:3
1990-11-01 00:00:00 | . | "Earthwinds".Test flight November 1990 went well
. | . | Crew change. Branson not in crew now due to unavailability at survival training
. | Crew: | [NAME], Don Moses
. | Information source: | Aerostat 92:1
1992-02-13/21 | . | "Virgin-Earthwinds" 2nd attempt fails due to wind. [NAME], Ohio
Attempt no: 5 | Crew: | [NAME], Don Moses
. | Information source: | Aerostat 92:3, 94:3
1993-01-12 00:00:00 | . | "Virgin-Earthwinds" 2nd attempt fails after 12 miles due to lack of lift.
Attempt no: 6 | . | Reno, Nevada. Most expensive balloon project ever.
. | Crew: | [NAME], Don Moses
. | Balloon: | AA15 Raven. Gas Balloon with Anchor Balloon. 1 100 000 cu ft / 31 150 m3 helium and 550 000 / 15 575 m3 cold air.
Flight no: 4 | Distance/Duration: | 12 miles --- 19 km
. | Information source: | Aerostat 93:5, 94:3
1993 Oct | . | "Earthwinds". New attempt in Nov 93. New crewmembers, picture of inflation.
. | Crew: | [NAME], [NAME], [NAME]
. | Information source: | Aerostat 93:1
1993-11-05 00:00:00 | . | "Earthwinds" 3rd attempt fails due to equipment failure. Reno, Nevada.
Attempt no: 7 | Crew: | [NAME], [NAME], [NAME]
. | Information source: | Aerostat 94:3
1994-01-12 00:00:00 | . | "Earthwinds Hilton." 4th attempt failed after 200 miles from Reno in wrong direction. Frozen valve in anchor balloon.
Attempt no: 8 | Crew: | [NAME], [NAME], [NAME]
. | Balloon: | AA15 Raven. Gas Balloon with Anchor Balloon. 1 100 000 cu ft / 31 150 m3 helium and 550 000 / 15 575 m3 cold air.
Flight no: 5 | . | 200 miles --- 322 km
. | Information source: | Aerostat 94:2, 94:3
1994 Dec | . | "Earthwinds Hilton" tries again Oct 94-Feb 95 from Reno. Crew changed.
. | Crew: | [NAME], [NAME]
. | Information source: | Aerostat 94:6
1994-12-31 00:00:00 | . | "Earthwinds Hilton". 5th attempt. From Reno. Anchor balloon bursts at 32 000 ft after 70 miles. Newman considers Rozière balloon. Contacts UK manufacturers.
Attempt no: 9 | Crew: | [NAME], [NAME]
. | Balloon: | AA15 Raven. Gas Balloon with Anchor Balloon. 1 100 000 cu ft / 31 150 m3 helium and 550 000 / 15 575 m3 cold air.
Flight no: 6 | Distance: | 70 miles --- 113 km
. | Information source: | Aerostat 95:1
1990 | 07 - Henk Brink | "Columbus". Plans 12 days at 36 000 feet - (Holland)
. | . | Will be ready to fly from Netherlands from September 1, 1992
. | Crew: | [NAME]
. | Balloon: | AM15 Rozière [NAME], 800 000 cuft/22 653 m3 helium
. | Information source: | Aerostat 92:1
1991 | . | "Columbus". Project presentation. Announced 1991. Planned to fly winter 1992
. | Crew: | [NAME]
. | Balloon: | AM15 Rozière Balloon. Cameron envelope, RDM capsule, Lindstrand burner. 800 000 cuft/22 653 m3 helium
. | Information source: | Aerostat 94:3
1992 | . | "Folicard 700". Project start Nov 1990. Ex "Holland Flyer" & , "Columbus"
. | Crew: | [NAME] plus one to be announced later
. | Balloon: | AM14 Rozière Balloon. Fokker, Lindstrand, Cameron, RDM. 700 000 u ft/19 822 m3.
. | Information source: | Aerostat 94:5
1994 | . | "Folicard 700". Will be ready early 1995.
. | Information source: | Aerostat 94:6
1995 Feb | . | Postpones launch. Third pilot announced
. | Crew: | [NAME], [NAME]
. | Information source: | Aerostat 95:1
1995 Oct | . | [NAME] ready. Test inflates at Cape Kennedy Vehicle Assembly Building.
. | Information source: | Aerostat 95:5
1995 Dec | . | "[NAME]". Update.
. | Balloon: | AM15 Rozière Balloon . Fokker, Lindstrand, Cameron, RDM 750 000 cu ft/21 238 m3
. | Information source: | Aerostat 95:6
1996 Feb | . | Update. Quarrels with crew. Fokker problems.
. | Crew: | [NAME]
. | Information source: | Aerostat 96:1
1996 Oct | . | "[NAME]". Update. [NAME] no longer pilot at sponsors request
. | Balloon: | AM15 Rozière [NAME], Lindstrand, Cameron, RDM 750 000 cu ft/21 238 m3
. | Information source: | Aerostat 96:5
1990 June | 08 - Per Lindstrand | "Global Orbiter". Project presentation. Proposals 1990 for a "Global Flyer" - (SWE/ UK)
. | . | Seeking sponsorship. Denies rumours that sponsor is selected.
. | Crew: | Not selected
. | Balloon: | AX15 Hot Air Balloon, Lindstrand 3 600 000 cu ft/101 941 m3
. | Information source: | Aerostat 94:3 | Rearranged
1995 April | . | Branson joins Per Lindstrand
. | Crew: | [NAME]
. | Information source: | Aerostat 95:2
1995 June | . | "Virgin" is the sponsor.
. | Crew: | [NAME]
. | Balloon: | AM15 Rozière Balloon. Lindstrand 750 000 cu ft/ 21 238 m3 helium
. | Information source | Aerostat 95:3 | Information added
1995 Aug | . | "Virgin Global Challenger". Update
. | Information source: | Aerostat 95:3
1995 Oct | . | "Virgin Global Challenger". Update. Gondola mockup, overflying of Russia.
. | Information source: | Aerostat 95:5
1995 Dec | . | Update. Gondola mock-up. Third pilot announced. Ambassador briefing.
. | Crew: | [NAME], [NAME]
. | Information source: | Aerostat 95:6
1996 Feb | . | "Virgin Global Challenger". Standby in Marrakech. Postponed due to weather.
Attempt no 11 | Crew: | [NAME], [NAME]
. | Balloon: | AM15 Rozière Balloon, Lindstrand 750 000 cu ft/21 238 m3 helium
. | Information source: | Aerostat 96:1
1996 April | . | "Virgin Global Challenger". About transportation to and waiting in Marrakech
Attempt no 11 | Information source: | Aerostat 96:2
1996 Oct | . | "Virgin Global Challenger". Preparation for launch in December. New envelope
. | Balloon | AM15 Rozière Balloon Lindstrand 1 000 000cu ft/28 317m3 helium
. | Information source: | Aerostat 96:5
1997 Jan | . | "Virgin Global Challenger". Forgot safety catches on fuel couplings. Aborted flight
Attempt no: 13 | Crew: | [NAME], [NAME]
. | Balloon: | AM15 Rozière Balloon Lindstrand
Flight no: 9 | Distance/Duration: | Unknown distance 20.00
. | Information source: | Aerostat 97:1
1997 Dec 9 | . | "Virgin Global Challenger". Envelope escapes during inflation. Back again end of Jan
Attempt no: 15 | Crew: | [NAME], [NAME]
. | Balloon: | AM15 Rozière Balloon Lindstrand
1998 Feb | . | "Virgin Global Challenger". New envelope. On standby. Weather system never ok
Attempt no: 20 | Crew: | [NAME]
. | Balloon: | AM15 Rozière Balloon Lindstrand
1994 | 09 - Troy Bradley | "Odyssey". Project presentation and story. - (USA)
. | . | Announced April 1994. Target launch date, summer 1995.
. | Crew: | [NAME], [NAME]
. | Balloon: | AA15. Gas Balloon, Raven "Odyssey". 29,000.000 cu ft/ 821 189 m3 or bigger
. | Information source: | Aerostat 94:3
1995 Oct | 10 - [NAME] | [NAME] delays. Orders new envelope - (USA)
. | Crew: | Solo
. | Balloon: | [NAME], [NAME]. 200 000 cu ft/ 5 663 m3 helium
. | Information source: | Aerostat 95:5
1996-01-10 00:00:00 | . | "[NAME]". Attempt fails due to envelope failure and electrical problems.
Attempt no: 10 | . | Unfavourable flight direction.
. | . | Stratobowl, Rapid City, South Dakota 8/1 to near Bay of Fundy, New Brunswick
. | Crew: | Solo
. | Balloon: | [NAME], [NAME]. 200 000 cu ft / 5 663 m3 helium
Flight no: 7 | Distance/Duration: | 1 819 miles --- 2 927 km --- 51 hours 13 minutes
. | Information source: | Ballooning March 1996, Aerostat 96:1
1996 Oct | . | "[NAME]". Set to try again. New envelope. Unofficial altitude records
. | Balloon: | [NAME]. [NAME]. 210 000 cu ft / 5 947 m3 helium
. | Information source: | Aerostat 96:5
1997 Jan 14-20 | . | "Solo Spirit". St Louis, USA to Varanasi, India. First to cross Atlantic twice.
Attempt no: 12 | . | Absolute distance/duration records
. | Crew: | Solo
. | Balloon: | [NAME] Rozière Balloon Cameron R-210. [NAME].
Flight no: 8 | Distance/Duration: | 10 363 miles --- 16 678 km --- 146 hours 44 minutes
. | Information source: | FAI Record file
1997 Dec 31 - 1998 Jan 5 | . | "Solo Spirit". Fastest Atlantic crossing. First to cross Atlantic three times.
Attempt no: 16 | Crew: | Solo
. | Balloon: | [NAME] Rozière Balloon Cameron R-210. [NAME].
Flight no: 11 | Distance/Duration: | 7 300 miles --- 11 748 km --- 108 hours 23 minutes
. | Information source: | Internet
1998 Aug 7 - 16 | . | "Solo Spirit 3". First crossing of South Atlantic. Absolute distance record. Mendoza, Argentine to Chesterfield Reef, Coral Sea
Attempt no: 21 | . | Solo
. | Balloon: | AM14 Rozière Balloon Cameron R-600. 600 000 cu ft / 16 990 m3
Flight no: 15 | Distance/ Duration: | 14 236 miles --- 22 910 km --- 205 hours 59minutes --- 9 358m
. | Information source: | FAI Record File
2001 Aug 17 | . | "Solo Spirit 3". First South Pacific crossing. AM14 duration record. Northam, West Australia 4 August to Bagé, Brazil 17 August. | Added
Attempt no: 27 | . | Solo | Added
. | Balloon: | AM14 Rozière Balloon Cameron R-550. N277SF. 18 429 m3 / 651 000 cu ft | Added
Flight no: 20 | Distance/ Duration: | 11 968 miles --- 19 260 km --- 300 hours 57minutes --- 9 358m | Added
 | Information source: | FAI Record File | Added
2002 July 3 | . | "Bud Light Spirit of Freedom". Second successful RTW flight, first solo RTW flight. AM14 distance and duration record, Absolute Round the World record. Northam, West Australia June 19 to the Blue Hills, Queensland, Australia | Added
Attempt no: 28 | . | Solo | Added
. | Balloon: | AM14 Rozière Balloon Cameron R-600. 600 000 cu ft / 16 990 m3 | Added
Flight no: 21 | Distance/ Duration: | about 20 521 miles --- about 33 025 km --- about 350 hours --- RTW record: about 320 hours | Added
. | Information source: | FAI Record File | Added
1994 June | 11 - Dick Rutan | "Aeolus 1". Project presentation. - (USA)
. | . | Announced plans 1994. Has worked on the project several years.
. | Crew: | Solo
. | Balloon: | [NAME]. Cameron 250 000 cu ft / 7 079 m3. Rutan spherical capsule.
. | Information source: | Aerostat 94:3
1998 Jan | . | "Global Hilton". Envelope split during climb. Crew parachuted
Attempt no: 18 | Crew: | [NAME]
. | Balloon: | AM-11 Rozière Balloon. 7 000 m3. Cameron envelope. Rutan spherical capsule.
Flight no: 13 | Distance/Duration: | Unknown
. | Information source: | Aerostat 98:2
1998 Dec | . | "World Quest". Old team, new sponsor, new balloon
. | Crew: | [NAME]
. | Balloon: | AS Superpressure balloons Cluster of 4 helium balloons
. | Information source: | Aerostat 98:6
1995 June | 12 - Bertrand Piccard | Announces plans 1995 - (Switzerland)
. | Crew: | Wim Verstraeten
. | Balloon | AM Rozière Balloon Cameron
. | Information source: | Aerostat 95:3
1996 Feb | . | "Breitling" sponsors the project
. | Information source: | Aerostat 96:1
1996 April | . | "Breitling Orbiter". Project presentation. Gondola and systems description
. | Balloon: | [NAME]. Cameron 450 000 cu ft / 12 743 m3
. | Information source: | Aerostat 96:2
1996 Oct | . | "Breitling Orbiter". Envelope completed, Olympic patronage, envelope described
. | Crew: | Wim Verstraeten
. | Balloon: | AM Rozière Balloon Cameron envelope, Elson/Noble gondola.
. | Information source: | Aerostat 96:5
1997 Jan | . | "Breitling Olympic Orbiter". Landed Mediterranean after gasoline leak
Attempt no: 14 | Crew: | Wim Verstraeten
. | Balloon: | AM Rozière Balloon Cameron
Flight no: 10 | Distance/Duration: | Unknown distance 6.00 hours
. | Information source: | Aerostat 97:1
1998 Jan | . | "Breitling Orbiter 2". Chateau d'Oeux-Sitkwin Minhla, Myanmar
Attempt no: 19 | Crew: | [NAME], [NAME]
. | Balloon: | AM14 Rozière, [NAME], 629 710 cu ft / 17 831m3
Flight no: 14 | Distance/Duration | 5 266 miles --- 8 475 km --- 233 hours, 55 min
. | Information source: | Record File
1998 Dec | . | "Breitling Orbiter 3". Chateau d'Oeux
. | Crew: | [NAME] (UK)
. | Balloon: | AM14 Rozière Balloon, [NAME], 650 000 cu ft, 18 406 m3e
. | Information source: | Aerostat 98:6
1999 March | . | "Breitling Orbiter 3" - Chateau d'Oex to Dakhla, Egypt. First successful Around the World flight. Absolute distance, duration and Around the World records
Attempt 25 | Crew: | [NAME] (UK)
. | Balloon: | AM14 Rozière Balloon, [NAME], 831 449 cu ft, 23 544 m3
. | Information source: | Record file
Flight no 18 | Distance/Duration | 25 361miles --- 40 814km --- 477 hours 47 min
1997 Dec | 13 - [NAME] | "J.Renee". The balloon gas cellburst at the ceiling (21,000 ft). Emergency landing - (USA)
Attempt no: 17 | Crew: | Solo
Flight no: 12 | Balloon: | AM Rozière Balloon, Cameron | Flight no
 | Distance/Duration | 180 miles --- 290 km --- 3 hours
. | Information source: | Aerostat 98:2
1998 Dec | . | "J Renee".
. | Crew: | Solo
. | Balloon: | AM12 [NAME], Cameron R420. 420 000cu ft / 11 893m3
. | Information source: | Aerostat 98:6
2000 Mar 3 | . | "J Renee". Rockford, Illinois 22 Feb to Nyaungu, Myanmar 3 March. AM 13-14 duration world record | Added
Attempt no:26 | Crew: | Solo | Added
Flight no: 19 | Balloon: | AM Rozière Balloon, Uliassi homebuilt "[NAME]", N761JR, 13 727 m3 | Added
 | Distance/Duration | 12 710 miles --- 20 455 km --- 243 hours 28 min | Added
 | Information source: | FAI record file | Added
1998 Dec | 14 - [NAME] | "RE/MAX". Plans to fly at 130 000ft / 40 000 m - (Australia)
. | . | 99-01-15: Launch postponed to end of 1999 due to weather.
Attempt no. 23 | . | Very high altitude helium balloon system. 4 800 m3 at launch
. | Crew: | [NAME], [NAME]
. | Balloon: | AA15. Gas balloon 39 500 000 cu ft / 1 118 515 m3
. | Information source: | Aerostat 98:6
1998 Dec | 15 - [NAME] | "Spirit of Peace" - (UK, USA)
. | Crew: | [NAME], [NAME]
. | Balloon: | AM12 Rozière Balloon Cameron R550, 550 000 cu ft / 15 574 m3
. | Information source: | Aerostat 98:6
1998 Dec | 16 - Andy Elson | "Cable & Wireless". Sponsored by Cable & Wireless. Cameron envelope, Elson gondola - (UK)
. | Crew: | [NAME], [NAME]
. | Balloon: | AM15 Rozière Balloon, Cameron/Elson. 1 077 000 cu ft / 30 497 m3
. | Information source: | Aerostat 98:6
1999 Feb 17- | . | "Cable & Wireless". Cameron envelope, Elson gondola (UK)
2002-03-07 00:00:00
Attempt no: 24 | Crew: | [NAME]
. | Balloon: | AM15 Rozière Balloon, Cameron/Elson. 1 061 735 cu ft / 30 065 m3
. | Information source | Record File
Flight no: 17 | Distance/Duration | 8 953miles --- 14 408km --- 425 hours, 41min
1998 Dec | 17 - Per Lindstrand | "ICO Global" - (Sweden, USA, UK)
. | . | Per Lindstrand, [NAME] and [NAME] join forces
. | Crew: | [NAME], [NAME]
. | Balloon: | AM15 Lindstrand Rozière Balloon. 1 100 000 cu ft / 31 149 m3
. | Information source: | Aerostat 98:6
1998 Dec 18-25 | . | "ICO Global" Marrakech, Morocco to near Honolulu, Hawaii
Attempt No: 22 | . | [NAME] at 09.23 UTC
. | Crew: | [NAME], [NAME]
Flight no: 16 | Balloon: | AM15 Lindstrand Rozière Balloon. 1 100 000 cu ft / 31 149 m3
. | Information source: | ICO home page
. | Distance/Duration | 12 404 miles --- 19 962 km --- 178 hours
. | .
1998 Dec | 18 - Gerrit Coetzee | "The Global Conqueror" - (South Africa)
. | Crew: | [NAME] and [NAME] or [NAME]
. | Balloon: | AM14 [NAME] R650 Rozière Balloon. 656 000 cu ft / 18 572 m3