Balloon voyage ends in India
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Tired and cold but with two world records to his name, the American balloonist Steve Fossett landed in a tiny Indian town yesterday - and renewed the competition to be the first to fly a balloon around the world.
Mr Fossett touched down yesterday at 7.40am GMT near Prithviganja, about 430 miles south-east of New Delhi, having flown almost 9,500 miles over more than six days - smashing the balloon endurance and distance records in his British-built Solo Spirit by about 4,000 miles and 90 minutes.
"I wish I could have made the biggest achievement and flown around the world," he said. "But this is also successful. It showed we are very close to being able to fly around the world."
He had to fight hard for his records: he spent the final night of his flight at 24,000ft over Iran, being buffeted by 120mph winds. The heaters inside the unpressurised cabin didn't work, the outside temperature was minus 27 Centigrade and the oxygen supply dried out his mouth. He had only about 12 hours sleep since taking off from St Louis, Missouri on January 13.
The former securities trader, now a full-time adventurer, was following the earlier failures of two rival teams - the three-man, pounds 3 million Virgin Challenger, including Richard Branson, and a two-man team sponsored by Breitling.
Mr Fossett, 52, flew in a balloon costing about a tenth of the Virgin balloon, at a lower altitude, and alone. That imposed a drastic physical toll, even for a man who has swum the Channeland climbed the highest mountain in the US.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments