| |
Around the
World Ballooning Projects |
Updated: 25 July 2002 |
This interesting review of around the world ballooning attempts was compiled by: Hans
Akerstedt, Vice-President, FAI Ballooning Commission, for a request by National
Geographic magazine.
Project, Attempt and Flight Numbering
Projects: (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 Steve Fossett 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.
Year |
Project
#, - Commander |
Name
of project or balloon, nationality, status or result |
1980 |
01
- Don Cameron |
"ICI
Innovation" - (UK). No attempts, no flights |
1981 |
02
- Maxie Anderson |
"Jules
Verne" - (USA). 3 attempts, 3 flights 1981, 1981 and 1982 |
1984 |
03
- Julian Nott |
"Explorer"
- (UK). No attempts, no flights |
1988 |
04
- John Petrehn |
(USA).
1 attempt, no flight |
1989 |
05
- Joe Kittinger |
USA).
No attempt |
1990 |
06
- Larry Newman |
"Earthwinds
Hilton", "Earthwinds", "Virgin Earthwinds" - (USA). 5 attempts, 3
flights 1993 and 1994 |
1990 |
07
- Henk Brink |
"Columbus",
"Folicard", "Unicef Flyer" - (Holland). No attempts |
1990 |
08
- Per Lindstrand |
"Global
Orbiter", "Virgin Global Challenger" - (SWE/ UK). 4 attempts, 1 flight
1997. See also # 17 |
1994 |
09
- Troy Bradley |
"Odyssey"
- (USA). No attempt |
1995 |
10
- Steve Fossett |
"Solo
Challenger", "Solo Spirit", "Solo Spirit 3", "Bud Light
Spirit of Freedom" - (USA). 6 attempts, 6 flights 1996-2002. First successful Solo
RTW flight 2002. See also # 17 |
1994 |
11
- Dick Rutan |
"Aeolus
1", "Global Hilton" - (USA). 1 attempt, 1 flight 1998 |
1995 |
12
- Bertrand Piccard |
"Breitling
Orbiter", "Breitling Orbiter 2 and 3" - (Switzerland). 3 attempts, 3
flights 1997, 1998 and 1999. First successful RTW flight 1999 |
1997 |
13
- Kevin Uliassi |
"J.Renee"
- (USA). 2 attempts, 2 flights 1997 and 2000 |
1998 |
14
- John Wallington |
"RE/MAX"
- (Australia). 1 attempt |
1998 |
15
- Jacques Soukup |
"Spirit
of Peace" - (UK, USA). No attempt |
1998 |
16
- Andy Elson |
"Cable
& Wireless" - (UK). 1 attempt, 1 flight 1999 |
1998 |
17
- Per Lindstrand |
"ICO
Global" - (Sweden, USA, UK). 1 attempt, 1 flight 1998 |
1998 |
18
- Gerrit Coetzee |
"The
Global Conqueror" - (South Africa). No attempt |
Document compiled by:
Hans Akerstedt
Vice-President
FAI Ballooning Commission
Sveavagen 19B
S-181 60 LIDINGO
Sweden
Tel : +46-8-7658331 Fax: +46-8-765 8331
Email: hasse.akerstedt@telia.com |
