Fossett Update
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?Harrowing Experience?
ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI, JUNE 25, 2002, 8:00 p.m. CDT (JUNE 26, 2002, 01:00
UTC) - - After hours of analyzing data and communications with pilot Steve
Fossett, Mission Control only recently realized how close the mission came
to coming to an end last night. At about 04:00 UTC Fossett thought he was
going to have to abandon his quest to circumnavigate the globe in Bud Light
Spirit of Freedom as a result of being caught in a three-hour oscillation
cycle.
Mission Control Director Joe Ritchie, who spoke to Fossett about the
incident this afternoon, said being caught in last night?s ?yo-yo
phenomenon? was a ?harrowing experience? that caused Fossett to miss the
jet stream that would have carried him to the north of the Chilean low
pressure system he was trying to avoid.
Ritchie said Fossett, clearly relieved to have the incident behind him,
told how the balloon suddenly lowered in altitude (Ritchie said this may
have happened due to a downdraft.). The autopilot then responded by
matching the sudden fall with a full blast of the burners. This
super-heated balloon rocketed dangerously high towards its ceiling, the
natural high point a balloon can sustain without losing helium. As it
neared the ceiling, it cooled rapidly and began a compensatory dive at high
speeds. This dive then turned on the burners again at full blast, repeating
the dangerous cycle up high. Fossett was faced with losing helium and
voyage duration on the up swing and conversely risking a fall to the
surface on the down swing.
Eventually Fossett stabilized the balloon heading east-northeast, although
he had hoped to head north as intended to catch the jet stream.
?Knowing he had missed the jet stream to the north,? Ritchie said. ?He
assumed that he had blown the flight.?
Chief Meteorologist Luc Trullemans began searching for a new route over
South America. The alternative he found seems to be as good as what was
originally intended---a shortcut that will place the balloon over Chile
within four hours of the original projection. Although the balloon will
move at a slower speed than planned for several hours, it will eventually
catch a jet stream slightly better than the original.
Bud Light Spirit of Freedom is now at 46 degrees south latitude and 86
degrees west longitude. The balloon is flying at a speed of 28.4 miles per
hour (45.7 kilometers per hour) at an altitude of 18,000 feet (5,486.4
meters) and its heading is 42.47 degrees. The balloon has traveled a total
of 8,416.4 miles (13,544.5 kilometers).
ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI, JUNE 25, 2002, 8:00 p.m. CDT (JUNE 26, 2002, 01:00
UTC) - - After hours of analyzing data and communications with pilot Steve
Fossett, Mission Control only recently realized how close the mission came
to coming to an end last night. At about 04:00 UTC Fossett thought he was
going to have to abandon his quest to circumnavigate the globe in Bud Light
Spirit of Freedom as a result of being caught in a three-hour oscillation
cycle.
Mission Control Director Joe Ritchie, who spoke to Fossett about the
incident this afternoon, said being caught in last night?s ?yo-yo
phenomenon? was a ?harrowing experience? that caused Fossett to miss the
jet stream that would have carried him to the north of the Chilean low
pressure system he was trying to avoid.
Ritchie said Fossett, clearly relieved to have the incident behind him,
told how the balloon suddenly lowered in altitude (Ritchie said this may
have happened due to a downdraft.). The autopilot then responded by
matching the sudden fall with a full blast of the burners. This
super-heated balloon rocketed dangerously high towards its ceiling, the
natural high point a balloon can sustain without losing helium. As it
neared the ceiling, it cooled rapidly and began a compensatory dive at high
speeds. This dive then turned on the burners again at full blast, repeating
the dangerous cycle up high. Fossett was faced with losing helium and
voyage duration on the up swing and conversely risking a fall to the
surface on the down swing.
Eventually Fossett stabilized the balloon heading east-northeast, although
he had hoped to head north as intended to catch the jet stream.
?Knowing he had missed the jet stream to the north,? Ritchie said. ?He
assumed that he had blown the flight.?
Chief Meteorologist Luc Trullemans began searching for a new route over
South America. The alternative he found seems to be as good as what was
originally intended---a shortcut that will place the balloon over Chile
within four hours of the original projection. Although the balloon will
move at a slower speed than planned for several hours, it will eventually
catch a jet stream slightly better than the original.
Bud Light Spirit of Freedom is now at 46 degrees south latitude and 86
degrees west longitude. The balloon is flying at a speed of 28.4 miles per
hour (45.7 kilometers per hour) at an altitude of 18,000 feet (5,486.4
meters) and its heading is 42.47 degrees. The balloon has traveled a total
of 8,416.4 miles (13,544.5 kilometers).
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A Week Has Flown By
ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI, JUNE 26, 2002, 12:00 a.m. CDT (JUNE 26, 2002, 05:00
UTC) - - Steve Fossett and the Bud Light Spirit of Freedom have just
completed one full week in the air, and he is closing in on completing half
of the mission.
At approximately 20:30 UTC yesterday, Steve and the Bud Light Spirit of
Freedom came close to an "extra" rendezvous with the chase plane, thus
ending the media blackout before their next expected encounter, which is
scheduled for when Steve reaches the Andes later today. However, poor
landing conditions in Punta Arenas did not allow the chase plane to risk
the loss of fuel in meeting with Steve and the balloon on its way to South
America from Easter Island.
The balloon is now at 45 degrees south latitude and 84 degrees west
longitude. The balloon is flying at a speed of 20.1 miles per hour (32.4
kilometers per hour) at an altitude of 18,000 feet (5486.4 meters) and its
heading is 52.15 degrees. The Bud Light Spirit of Freedom has traveled a
total of 8,491 miles (13,664.6 kilometers).
ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI, JUNE 26, 2002, 12:00 a.m. CDT (JUNE 26, 2002, 05:00
UTC) - - Steve Fossett and the Bud Light Spirit of Freedom have just
completed one full week in the air, and he is closing in on completing half
of the mission.
At approximately 20:30 UTC yesterday, Steve and the Bud Light Spirit of
Freedom came close to an "extra" rendezvous with the chase plane, thus
ending the media blackout before their next expected encounter, which is
scheduled for when Steve reaches the Andes later today. However, poor
landing conditions in Punta Arenas did not allow the chase plane to risk
the loss of fuel in meeting with Steve and the balloon on its way to South
America from Easter Island.
The balloon is now at 45 degrees south latitude and 84 degrees west
longitude. The balloon is flying at a speed of 20.1 miles per hour (32.4
kilometers per hour) at an altitude of 18,000 feet (5486.4 meters) and its
heading is 52.15 degrees. The Bud Light Spirit of Freedom has traveled a
total of 8,491 miles (13,664.6 kilometers).
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Keep on Truckin'
ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI, JUNE 26, 2002, 2:00 a.m. CDT (JUNE 26, 2002, 07:00
UTC)
Confidence is still high as Steve Fossett continues to make his way toward
the coast of South America. Bud Light Spirit of Freedom is about 500 miles
off the west coast of Chile and is projected to pass just north of the Gulf
of Penas today at 10:30 St. Louis time (15:30 UTC). A lack of drama and
incidents spell good news for the Bud Light Spirit of Freedom mission as
Fossett and Mission Control can take a breather and relax.
Bud Light Spirit of Freedom is cruising comfortably at 25 miles per hour
(40 km per hour) at 18,000 feet (5486 meters). Its current coordinates are
45 degrees south and 83 degrees west.
ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI, JUNE 26, 2002, 2:00 a.m. CDT (JUNE 26, 2002, 07:00
UTC)
Confidence is still high as Steve Fossett continues to make his way toward
the coast of South America. Bud Light Spirit of Freedom is about 500 miles
off the west coast of Chile and is projected to pass just north of the Gulf
of Penas today at 10:30 St. Louis time (15:30 UTC). A lack of drama and
incidents spell good news for the Bud Light Spirit of Freedom mission as
Fossett and Mission Control can take a breather and relax.
Bud Light Spirit of Freedom is cruising comfortably at 25 miles per hour
(40 km per hour) at 18,000 feet (5486 meters). Its current coordinates are
45 degrees south and 83 degrees west.
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Day of Drama for Fossett
PUNTA ARENAS, CHILE, JUNE 26: Steve faced another day of drama over the Pacific Ocean,his second in recent days.
The Bud Light Spirit of Freedom balloon began, in Fossett?s own words,
?yo-yo-ing? - inexplicably losing and gaining altitude - as he approached
South America after the long haul across the Pacific.
This came just over three days after the balloon was maneuvered from an
altitude of over 20,000 feet to just under 1,000 feet to steer away from
unfavorable weather patterns in the mid Pacific and it was nearly forced
down into the sea by violent downdrafts which accompanied rain squalls in
low-level clouds in the area.
During an unscheduled midair radio interview today as the balloon (flying
at 15,000 feet) and the mission Cessna Citation X chase plane (at 45,000
feet) crossed paths approximately 1,200 miles (1,930 km) southwest of
Santiago, Fossett said it was at first thought the balloon?s erratic
behavior might have been caused by ice forming on its envelope as his
trajectory took him further south into much colder sub-Antarctic skies. The
extra weight of ice can be catastrophic for a balloon.
But a satellite telephone conference with project manager Tim Cole and the
team at Mission Control in St. Louis identified the problem as being caused
by the cooler temperatures requiring a change to the way Fossett needed to
fire the balloon?s propane gas burners to compensate for the changed
conditions in order to maintain altitude.
However, as a precaution, the Bud Light Spirit of Freedom was also taken
down to a lower altitude, below the freezing level, to ensure the balloon
was free of ice.
With fear of that problem removed, the balloon later made a controlled
ascent back to over 20,000 feet.
PUNTA ARENAS, CHILE, JUNE 26: Steve faced another day of drama over the Pacific Ocean,his second in recent days.
The Bud Light Spirit of Freedom balloon began, in Fossett?s own words,
?yo-yo-ing? - inexplicably losing and gaining altitude - as he approached
South America after the long haul across the Pacific.
This came just over three days after the balloon was maneuvered from an
altitude of over 20,000 feet to just under 1,000 feet to steer away from
unfavorable weather patterns in the mid Pacific and it was nearly forced
down into the sea by violent downdrafts which accompanied rain squalls in
low-level clouds in the area.
During an unscheduled midair radio interview today as the balloon (flying
at 15,000 feet) and the mission Cessna Citation X chase plane (at 45,000
feet) crossed paths approximately 1,200 miles (1,930 km) southwest of
Santiago, Fossett said it was at first thought the balloon?s erratic
behavior might have been caused by ice forming on its envelope as his
trajectory took him further south into much colder sub-Antarctic skies. The
extra weight of ice can be catastrophic for a balloon.
But a satellite telephone conference with project manager Tim Cole and the
team at Mission Control in St. Louis identified the problem as being caused
by the cooler temperatures requiring a change to the way Fossett needed to
fire the balloon?s propane gas burners to compensate for the changed
conditions in order to maintain altitude.
However, as a precaution, the Bud Light Spirit of Freedom was also taken
down to a lower altitude, below the freezing level, to ensure the balloon
was free of ice.
With fear of that problem removed, the balloon later made a controlled
ascent back to over 20,000 feet.
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The Coast of Chile
ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI, JUNE 26, 2002, 2:00 p.m. CDT (JUNE 26, 2002, 19:00
UTC) ? Pilot Steve Fossett and his Bud Light Spirit of Freedom balloon will
reach the western coast of Chile in the next two to three hours -- yet
another milestone in his attempt to circumnavigate the globe. The balloon
should cross the coast just north of the Gulf of Penas, roughly 530 miles
(855 km) northwest of Punta Arenas, Chile.
Bud Light Spirit of Freedom is currently located at 45 degrees south
latitude, 77 degrees west longitude. The balloon has climbed to 20,000 feet
(6,096 meters), and has increased its speed to 31.3 miles per hour (50.4 km
per hour). Fossett has now traveled 8,849.3 miles (14,241.1 kilometers).
ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI, JUNE 26, 2002, 2:00 p.m. CDT (JUNE 26, 2002, 19:00
UTC) ? Pilot Steve Fossett and his Bud Light Spirit of Freedom balloon will
reach the western coast of Chile in the next two to three hours -- yet
another milestone in his attempt to circumnavigate the globe. The balloon
should cross the coast just north of the Gulf of Penas, roughly 530 miles
(855 km) northwest of Punta Arenas, Chile.
Bud Light Spirit of Freedom is currently located at 45 degrees south
latitude, 77 degrees west longitude. The balloon has climbed to 20,000 feet
(6,096 meters), and has increased its speed to 31.3 miles per hour (50.4 km
per hour). Fossett has now traveled 8,849.3 miles (14,241.1 kilometers).
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Land Ho!
ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI, JUNE 26, 2002, 6:00 p.m. CDT (JUNE 26, 2002, 23:00 UTC) -- Steve Fossett and the Bud Light Spirit of Freedom left the Pacific Ocean behind and crossed the Chilean coast at approximately 22:22 UTC Wednesday. Fossett will be over land only about six hours before heading out into the Atlantic. Faster winds will greet him there.
He already has begun to pick up speed as he prepares to cross the Andes Mountains. The balloon will get a boost of speed when crossing the mountains, according to Assistant Meteorologist David Dehenauw. Steve also is now rendezvousing with a jet stream, which will allow him to pick up even more speed. Mission Control is expecting speeds of more than 100 mph (160 km/hr) in the days ahead.
Dehenauw also said that Mission Control expects fewer problems with inclement weather in the next few days. There are no thunderstorms near Steve's flight path for the next 48 hours, and there will be fewer storms to contend with over the Atlantic than there were over the Pacific.
Mission Control's focus now shifts to Air Traffic Control and Search and Rescue offices in Chile, Argentina, and South Africa. Mission Control has spent the last day contacting these offices to prepare them for Steve's continuing journey in their air space.
Currently, located at 47 degrees south and 74 degrees west, Bud Light Spirit of Freedom is flying at 67.3 miles per hour (108.4 km per hour) and at 24,800 feet (7,559 meters). Fossett has now flown 9,058.7 miles (14,578.1 kilometers), since his launch from Northam, Australia eight days ago.
ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI, JUNE 26, 2002, 6:00 p.m. CDT (JUNE 26, 2002, 23:00 UTC) -- Steve Fossett and the Bud Light Spirit of Freedom left the Pacific Ocean behind and crossed the Chilean coast at approximately 22:22 UTC Wednesday. Fossett will be over land only about six hours before heading out into the Atlantic. Faster winds will greet him there.
He already has begun to pick up speed as he prepares to cross the Andes Mountains. The balloon will get a boost of speed when crossing the mountains, according to Assistant Meteorologist David Dehenauw. Steve also is now rendezvousing with a jet stream, which will allow him to pick up even more speed. Mission Control is expecting speeds of more than 100 mph (160 km/hr) in the days ahead.
Dehenauw also said that Mission Control expects fewer problems with inclement weather in the next few days. There are no thunderstorms near Steve's flight path for the next 48 hours, and there will be fewer storms to contend with over the Atlantic than there were over the Pacific.
Mission Control's focus now shifts to Air Traffic Control and Search and Rescue offices in Chile, Argentina, and South Africa. Mission Control has spent the last day contacting these offices to prepare them for Steve's continuing journey in their air space.
Currently, located at 47 degrees south and 74 degrees west, Bud Light Spirit of Freedom is flying at 67.3 miles per hour (108.4 km per hour) and at 24,800 feet (7,559 meters). Fossett has now flown 9,058.7 miles (14,578.1 kilometers), since his launch from Northam, Australia eight days ago.
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Hello Argentina
ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI, JUNE 26, 2002, 8:00 p.m. CDT (JUNE 27, 2002, 01:00
UTC) - - Steve Fossett and the Bud Light Spirit of Freedom is now flying
over Argentina. Fossett entered Argentinean airspace at approximately 00:22
UTC, Thursday, flying above the tallest peaks in the area. The latest
position report places him over Lago Viedma near the town of the same name,
some 200 miles from the Atlantic Coast.
Currently, located at 49 degrees south and 72 degrees west, Bud Light
Spirit of Freedom is flying at 58.3 miles per hour (93.9 km per hour) and
at 24,800 feet (7,559 meters). Fossett has now flown 9,246.8 miles
(14,880.9 kilometers) since his launch from Northam, Australia eight days
ago.
Hello Argentina.................................
ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI, JUNE 26, 2002, 8:00 p.m. CDT (JUNE 27, 2002, 01:00
UTC) - - Steve Fossett and the Bud Light Spirit of Freedom is now flying
over Argentina. Fossett entered Argentinean airspace at approximately 00:22
UTC, Thursday, flying above the tallest peaks in the area. The latest
position report places him over Lago Viedma near the town of the same name,
some 200 miles from the Atlantic Coast.
Currently, located at 49 degrees south and 72 degrees west, Bud Light
Spirit of Freedom is flying at 58.3 miles per hour (93.9 km per hour) and
at 24,800 feet (7,559 meters). Fossett has now flown 9,246.8 miles
(14,880.9 kilometers) since his launch from Northam, Australia eight days
ago.
Hello Argentina.................................
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ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI, JUNE 26, 2002, 10:00 p.m. CDT (JUNE 27, 2002, 03:00
UTC) - - Currently over Lago Argentino, Steve Fossett and the Bud Light
Spirit of Freedom have only another two hours over land before they are
expected to reach the Atlantic Ocean. At approximately 05:00 UTC, Thursday,
Fossett is expected to exit airspace over Argentina near the city of
Posesion.
Currently, located at 50 degrees south and 71 degrees west, Bud Light
Spirit of Freedom is flying at 51.3 miles per hour (82.5 km per hour) and
at 24,800 feet (7,559 meters). Fossett has now flown 9,300.1 miles
(14,966.7 kilometers) since his launch from Northam, Australia eight days
ago.
UTC) - - Currently over Lago Argentino, Steve Fossett and the Bud Light
Spirit of Freedom have only another two hours over land before they are
expected to reach the Atlantic Ocean. At approximately 05:00 UTC, Thursday,
Fossett is expected to exit airspace over Argentina near the city of
Posesion.
Currently, located at 50 degrees south and 71 degrees west, Bud Light
Spirit of Freedom is flying at 51.3 miles per hour (82.5 km per hour) and
at 24,800 feet (7,559 meters). Fossett has now flown 9,300.1 miles
(14,966.7 kilometers) since his launch from Northam, Australia eight days
ago.
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Committed to Succeed
ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI, JUNE 27, 2002, 6:00 a.m. CDT (JUNE 27, 2002, 11:00
UTC) - - As Bud Light Spirit of Freedom Pilot Steve Fossett heads out to
sea after only a short nine hours over land, he commented this is "the last
place to land before the finish in Australia." He exited South America at
the extreme southern tip after a land crossing of only 483 miles (773
kilometers). Dismissing any possibility of ditching at this point, Fossett
is barreling ahead at over 80 miles an hour (128 kilometers per hour) into
the wide expanses of the South Atlantic and Indian Oceans that separate him
from his target, the southeastern shores of Australia nearly 10,000 miles
(16,000 kilometers) away.
Chief Meteorologist Luc Trullemans says yesterday's predicted flight path
has been confirmed this morning since it coincides with Steve's actual
flight path of the last 24 hours. This flight path is predicted to
ultimately sweep Fossett back to the north catching the southern tip of
Africa. However, while this makes Luc very happy, he is still concerned
about the possibility of bad weather during the afternoon of June 29th.
Currently, located at 56 degrees south and 60 degrees west, Bud Light
Spirit of Freedom is flying at 82.3 miles per hour (132.4 km per hour) and
at 23,000 feet (7010 meters). Fossett has now flown 9,890 miles (15,917
kilometers) since his launch from Northam, Australia.
ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI, JUNE 27, 2002, 6:00 a.m. CDT (JUNE 27, 2002, 11:00
UTC) - - As Bud Light Spirit of Freedom Pilot Steve Fossett heads out to
sea after only a short nine hours over land, he commented this is "the last
place to land before the finish in Australia." He exited South America at
the extreme southern tip after a land crossing of only 483 miles (773
kilometers). Dismissing any possibility of ditching at this point, Fossett
is barreling ahead at over 80 miles an hour (128 kilometers per hour) into
the wide expanses of the South Atlantic and Indian Oceans that separate him
from his target, the southeastern shores of Australia nearly 10,000 miles
(16,000 kilometers) away.
Chief Meteorologist Luc Trullemans says yesterday's predicted flight path
has been confirmed this morning since it coincides with Steve's actual
flight path of the last 24 hours. This flight path is predicted to
ultimately sweep Fossett back to the north catching the southern tip of
Africa. However, while this makes Luc very happy, he is still concerned
about the possibility of bad weather during the afternoon of June 29th.
Currently, located at 56 degrees south and 60 degrees west, Bud Light
Spirit of Freedom is flying at 82.3 miles per hour (132.4 km per hour) and
at 23,000 feet (7010 meters). Fossett has now flown 9,890 miles (15,917
kilometers) since his launch from Northam, Australia.
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Excitement in Mission Control
ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI, JUNE 27, 2002, 6:00 p.m. CDT (JUNE 27, 2002, 23:00
UTC) -- Mission Control for Bud Light Spirit of Freedom has been bustling
with energy since the early hours of this morning. The excitement started
at 4:52 a.m. St. Louis time (9:52 UTC) when Steve Fossett reached the half
way mark of his attempt to complete the First Solo Round-The-World balloon
flight. As soon as Mission Control confirmed that the flight had passed yet
another milestone, preparations were finalized for a press conference at
10:00 a.m. CDT(15:00 UTC). During the press conference members of the
Mission Control team provided comment and insight on how the balloon
reached this point in the trip and gave a look at future obstacles Steve
Fossett and the Bud Light Spirit of Freedom could encounter.
The team also explained to the press how the decision to continue on with
the second half of the flight was made. Project Director Tim Cole noted
that Fossett has more than enough supplies -- food, fuel and oxygen -- to
successfully complete the mission. And meteorologists Luc Trullemans and
David Dehenauw explained that the major danger remaining in Steve's path is
a storm system that's expected to be present when Fossett approaches South
Africa. Trullemans said that once a way is found to by-pass the storm
system, the balloon should once again have 120 miles per hour (192 km/hour)
winds to carry it over the Indian Ocean for the last part of Fossett's
journey.
Fossett has picked up speed during the day while traveling southeast over
the South Atlantic. At 8:00 a.m. CDT (13:00 UTC) today the balloon was
traveling at 86 miles per hour (139 km/hr); this afternoon it reached
speeds of more than 115 miles per hour; and now is cruising at 85.5 miles
per hour (137.5 km/hr). Currently, the balloon is at 61 degrees south
latitude and 29 degrees west longitude and is 24,200 feet (7,376.2 meters)
in the air.
With the balloon only some 600 miles from the outer reaches of the coastal
regions of Antarctica, one may wonder how cold it is at flight altitude.
According to Project Director Time Cole, the approximate outside
temperature is under -30 degrees F (-34 degrees C), although the interior
of the capsule remains a comfortable 70 degrees F (21 degrees C). And one
other happy note: Cole reported that Fossett reached the half way mark 30
percent faster than on last year's flight. Bud Light Spirit of Freedom is
now 59 percent complete with his journey after nine days in flight.
Fossett is expected to swing north within the next five hours according to
meteorologist David Dehenauw. Once this occurs, a jet stream will provide
high-speed winds to carry Bud Light Spirit of Freedom to the north, just
south of South Africa's Cape of Good Hope.
. Gaunty, Islander Jock...I'm sure you are with me in feeling a sense of pride in that we were a part of all this. It feels more than a week ago we sent Steve on his merry way.
I can't help but feel how cramped he must feel in the gondola..::
ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI, JUNE 27, 2002, 6:00 p.m. CDT (JUNE 27, 2002, 23:00
UTC) -- Mission Control for Bud Light Spirit of Freedom has been bustling
with energy since the early hours of this morning. The excitement started
at 4:52 a.m. St. Louis time (9:52 UTC) when Steve Fossett reached the half
way mark of his attempt to complete the First Solo Round-The-World balloon
flight. As soon as Mission Control confirmed that the flight had passed yet
another milestone, preparations were finalized for a press conference at
10:00 a.m. CDT(15:00 UTC). During the press conference members of the
Mission Control team provided comment and insight on how the balloon
reached this point in the trip and gave a look at future obstacles Steve
Fossett and the Bud Light Spirit of Freedom could encounter.
The team also explained to the press how the decision to continue on with
the second half of the flight was made. Project Director Tim Cole noted
that Fossett has more than enough supplies -- food, fuel and oxygen -- to
successfully complete the mission. And meteorologists Luc Trullemans and
David Dehenauw explained that the major danger remaining in Steve's path is
a storm system that's expected to be present when Fossett approaches South
Africa. Trullemans said that once a way is found to by-pass the storm
system, the balloon should once again have 120 miles per hour (192 km/hour)
winds to carry it over the Indian Ocean for the last part of Fossett's
journey.
Fossett has picked up speed during the day while traveling southeast over
the South Atlantic. At 8:00 a.m. CDT (13:00 UTC) today the balloon was
traveling at 86 miles per hour (139 km/hr); this afternoon it reached
speeds of more than 115 miles per hour; and now is cruising at 85.5 miles
per hour (137.5 km/hr). Currently, the balloon is at 61 degrees south
latitude and 29 degrees west longitude and is 24,200 feet (7,376.2 meters)
in the air.
With the balloon only some 600 miles from the outer reaches of the coastal
regions of Antarctica, one may wonder how cold it is at flight altitude.
According to Project Director Time Cole, the approximate outside
temperature is under -30 degrees F (-34 degrees C), although the interior
of the capsule remains a comfortable 70 degrees F (21 degrees C). And one
other happy note: Cole reported that Fossett reached the half way mark 30
percent faster than on last year's flight. Bud Light Spirit of Freedom is
now 59 percent complete with his journey after nine days in flight.
Fossett is expected to swing north within the next five hours according to
meteorologist David Dehenauw. Once this occurs, a jet stream will provide
high-speed winds to carry Bud Light Spirit of Freedom to the north, just
south of South Africa's Cape of Good Hope.
. Gaunty, Islander Jock...I'm sure you are with me in feeling a sense of pride in that we were a part of all this. It feels more than a week ago we sent Steve on his merry way.I can't help but feel how cramped he must feel in the gondola..::
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Changing Directions
ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI, JUNE 27, 2002, 8:00 p.m. CDT (JUNE 28, 2002, 1:00 UTC)
-- Bud Light Spirit of Freedom, with pilot Steve Fossett, is flying at 85.5
miles per hour (13705 km/hr) at 24,200 feet (7376 meters) above the South
Atlantic Ocean. The balloon's current heading is 91.73 degrees, slowly
swinging the balloon back to a more easterly direction of travel. Fossett's
current course should take him to a point just south of the Cape of Good
Hope. Fossett is currently at 61 degrees south latitude, 29 degrees west
longitude and has flown 10,830 miles (17,429 km). The balloon has now
completed 60 percent of his path around the globe.
ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI, JUNE 27, 2002, 8:00 p.m. CDT (JUNE 28, 2002, 1:00 UTC)
-- Bud Light Spirit of Freedom, with pilot Steve Fossett, is flying at 85.5
miles per hour (13705 km/hr) at 24,200 feet (7376 meters) above the South
Atlantic Ocean. The balloon's current heading is 91.73 degrees, slowly
swinging the balloon back to a more easterly direction of travel. Fossett's
current course should take him to a point just south of the Cape of Good
Hope. Fossett is currently at 61 degrees south latitude, 29 degrees west
longitude and has flown 10,830 miles (17,429 km). The balloon has now
completed 60 percent of his path around the globe.
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Changing Directions
ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI, JUNE 27, 2002, 8:00 p.m. CDT (JUNE 28, 2002, 1:00 UTC)
-- Bud Light Spirit of Freedom, with pilot Steve Fossett, is flying at 85.5
miles per hour (13705 km/hr) at 24,200 feet (7376 meters) above the South
Atlantic Ocean. The balloon's current heading is 91.73 degrees, slowly
swinging the balloon back to a more easterly direction of travel. Fossett's
current course should take him to a point just south of the Cape of Good
Hope. Fossett is currently at 61 degrees south latitude, 29 degrees west
longitude and has flown 10,830 miles (17,429 km). The balloon has now
completed 60 percent of his path around the globe.
ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI, JUNE 27, 2002, 8:00 p.m. CDT (JUNE 28, 2002, 1:00 UTC)
-- Bud Light Spirit of Freedom, with pilot Steve Fossett, is flying at 85.5
miles per hour (13705 km/hr) at 24,200 feet (7376 meters) above the South
Atlantic Ocean. The balloon's current heading is 91.73 degrees, slowly
swinging the balloon back to a more easterly direction of travel. Fossett's
current course should take him to a point just south of the Cape of Good
Hope. Fossett is currently at 61 degrees south latitude, 29 degrees west
longitude and has flown 10,830 miles (17,429 km). The balloon has now
completed 60 percent of his path around the globe.
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[Going For It: Decision is Made
Message from Steve (06/27/2002):
Crossing the Andes Wednesday evening is an exciting milestone in the Bud Light Spirit of Freedom Flight, but it is also decision time. I would be over South America only 6 hours and it’s the last place to land before the finish in Australia. Succeed or Ditch.
The route out of South America this time runs southeast for over a day taking me to 62 degrees South latitude before turning northeast. That’s over the Antarctic ice pack! My team went to work on the implications of such a southern route. Since it would be colder than anything we had flown in before, Project Director Tim Cole got together the minimum fuel flow temperatures, the pilot light and cabin heater vaporization temperatures. That information showed that the balloon should be able to stay aloft in the forecasted cold. Meteorologist Luc Trullemans reviewed and presented the level of confidence of the flight trajectory. (I don’t want to get down there and find it’s no longer possible to make the turn to get back north.) Mission Control Director Joe Ritchie considered the rescue options if the balloon goes down in the far South Atlantic. Adequate fuel, oxygen and water is the easy part - I have it.
Last year my team decided I must land in southern Brazil. The route to Australia was in shambles which would require climbs and descents to steer a way. I was going to run out of oxygen and not be able to do the necessary climbs. This year I’ve got the working equipment. Frightfully dangerous - Yes. But I believe I can make it.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Mission Control Response (06/27/2002):
Steve,
Just over a week ago we saw you and the awesome sight of Bud Light Spirit of Freedom take flight from the plains of Northam. As of 27th June 02 0952 GMT, it has been confirmed that you have reached 50% of your goal. Beginning with the tight launch window, to race a low-pressure system eastward, surfing the crests of the Pacific waves, and a roller coaster yo-yo trip, you have met and triumphed over multiple challenges. Your launch team and Control team have worked their hardest to keep up with your stamina this past week. Our eyes are as skyward as yours are eastward.
From all of us on the ground, “happy hunting” for winds and “keep on truckin’” to the next 50%.
Watching a balloon, having a Bud (Light that is),
Your Crew
It: Decision is Made[/COLOR] Going For It.
Message from Steve (06/27/2002):
Crossing the Andes Wednesday evening is an exciting milestone in the Bud Light Spirit of Freedom Flight, but it is also decision time. I would be over South America only 6 hours and it’s the last place to land before the finish in Australia. Succeed or Ditch.
The route out of South America this time runs southeast for over a day taking me to 62 degrees South latitude before turning northeast. That’s over the Antarctic ice pack! My team went to work on the implications of such a southern route. Since it would be colder than anything we had flown in before, Project Director Tim Cole got together the minimum fuel flow temperatures, the pilot light and cabin heater vaporization temperatures. That information showed that the balloon should be able to stay aloft in the forecasted cold. Meteorologist Luc Trullemans reviewed and presented the level of confidence of the flight trajectory. (I don’t want to get down there and find it’s no longer possible to make the turn to get back north.) Mission Control Director Joe Ritchie considered the rescue options if the balloon goes down in the far South Atlantic. Adequate fuel, oxygen and water is the easy part - I have it.
Last year my team decided I must land in southern Brazil. The route to Australia was in shambles which would require climbs and descents to steer a way. I was going to run out of oxygen and not be able to do the necessary climbs. This year I’ve got the working equipment. Frightfully dangerous - Yes. But I believe I can make it.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Mission Control Response (06/27/2002):
Steve,
Just over a week ago we saw you and the awesome sight of Bud Light Spirit of Freedom take flight from the plains of Northam. As of 27th June 02 0952 GMT, it has been confirmed that you have reached 50% of your goal. Beginning with the tight launch window, to race a low-pressure system eastward, surfing the crests of the Pacific waves, and a roller coaster yo-yo trip, you have met and triumphed over multiple challenges. Your launch team and Control team have worked their hardest to keep up with your stamina this past week. Our eyes are as skyward as yours are eastward.
From all of us on the ground, “happy hunting” for winds and “keep on truckin’” to the next 50%.
Watching a balloon, having a Bud (Light that is),
Your Crew
It: Decision is Made[/COLOR]
Going For It.
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Around the World?
ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI, JUNE 27, 2002, 10:00 p.m. CDT (JUNE 28, 2002, 3:00
UTC) --Some Bud Light Spirit of Freedom followers have asked, ''Is Steve
taking a short cut by flying so far south?'' The simple answer is ''No,''
and that's not likely to change. The track that Bud Light Spirit of
Freedom is currently taking in its around-the-world flight started at 31
degrees South, and has traveled as far south as 61 degrees. Is this
abiding by the rules that govern a round-the-world flight?
According to the Federation Aeronautique Internationale (www.fai.org),
which is the governing body of RTW flights, the following rules apply: a
pilot must set a course of waypoints within a band of the Earth that stays
at least 30 degrees latitude south of the North Pole or 30 degrees north of
the South Pole. The lines joining those waypoints (on a ''great circle''
projection) must stay outside those polar caps, although parts of the
actual flight can drift inside them.
As previously mentioned, the Spirit of Freedom will travel to 61 degree
South, but this is permitted for two reasons:
1) The flight path of the balloon is allowed to enter this cap, as
long as two waypoints that are located outside the cap can be connected and
this new connecting path does not enter the cap.
2) The cap must include one of the poles (in this particular case, the
South Pole). The pole need not be located at the center of this cap.
Therefore, it is possible to shift the cap a few degrees so that the
position check of 61 degree South is located outside the cap. This
movement is allowed since the flight passed a much great distance north on
the opposite side of the cap.
ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI, JUNE 27, 2002, 10:00 p.m. CDT (JUNE 28, 2002, 3:00
UTC) --Some Bud Light Spirit of Freedom followers have asked, ''Is Steve
taking a short cut by flying so far south?'' The simple answer is ''No,''
and that's not likely to change. The track that Bud Light Spirit of
Freedom is currently taking in its around-the-world flight started at 31
degrees South, and has traveled as far south as 61 degrees. Is this
abiding by the rules that govern a round-the-world flight?
According to the Federation Aeronautique Internationale (www.fai.org),
which is the governing body of RTW flights, the following rules apply: a
pilot must set a course of waypoints within a band of the Earth that stays
at least 30 degrees latitude south of the North Pole or 30 degrees north of
the South Pole. The lines joining those waypoints (on a ''great circle''
projection) must stay outside those polar caps, although parts of the
actual flight can drift inside them.
As previously mentioned, the Spirit of Freedom will travel to 61 degree
South, but this is permitted for two reasons:
1) The flight path of the balloon is allowed to enter this cap, as
long as two waypoints that are located outside the cap can be connected and
this new connecting path does not enter the cap.
2) The cap must include one of the poles (in this particular case, the
South Pole). The pole need not be located at the center of this cap.
Therefore, it is possible to shift the cap a few degrees so that the
position check of 61 degree South is located outside the cap. This
movement is allowed since the flight passed a much great distance north on
the opposite side of the cap.
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Around the World?
ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI, JUNE 27, 2002, 10:00 p.m. CDT (JUNE 28, 2002, 3:00
UTC) --Some Bud Light Spirit of Freedom followers have asked, ''Is Steve
taking a short cut by flying so far south?'' The simple answer is ''No,''
and that's not likely to change. The track that Bud Light Spirit of
Freedom is currently taking in its around-the-world flight started at 31
degrees South, and has traveled as far south as 61 degrees. Is this
abiding by the rules that govern a round-the-world flight?
According to the Federation Aeronautique Internationale (www.fai.org),
which is the governing body of RTW flights, the following rules apply: a
pilot must set a course of waypoints within a band of the Earth that stays
at least 30 degrees latitude south of the North Pole or 30 degrees north of
the South Pole. The lines joining those waypoints (on a ''great circle''
projection) must stay outside those polar caps, although parts of the
actual flight can drift inside them.
As previously mentioned, the Spirit of Freedom will travel to 61 degree
South, but this is permitted for two reasons:
1) The flight path of the balloon is allowed to enter this cap, as
long as two waypoints that are located outside the cap can be connected and
this new connecting path does not enter the cap.
2) The cap must include one of the poles (in this particular case, the
South Pole). The pole need not be located at the center of this cap.
Therefore, it is possible to shift the cap a few degrees so that the
position check of 61 degree South is located outside the cap. This
movement is allowed since the flight passed a much great distance north on
the opposite side of the cap.
ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI, JUNE 27, 2002, 10:00 p.m. CDT (JUNE 28, 2002, 3:00
UTC) --Some Bud Light Spirit of Freedom followers have asked, ''Is Steve
taking a short cut by flying so far south?'' The simple answer is ''No,''
and that's not likely to change. The track that Bud Light Spirit of
Freedom is currently taking in its around-the-world flight started at 31
degrees South, and has traveled as far south as 61 degrees. Is this
abiding by the rules that govern a round-the-world flight?
According to the Federation Aeronautique Internationale (www.fai.org),
which is the governing body of RTW flights, the following rules apply: a
pilot must set a course of waypoints within a band of the Earth that stays
at least 30 degrees latitude south of the North Pole or 30 degrees north of
the South Pole. The lines joining those waypoints (on a ''great circle''
projection) must stay outside those polar caps, although parts of the
actual flight can drift inside them.
As previously mentioned, the Spirit of Freedom will travel to 61 degree
South, but this is permitted for two reasons:
1) The flight path of the balloon is allowed to enter this cap, as
long as two waypoints that are located outside the cap can be connected and
this new connecting path does not enter the cap.
2) The cap must include one of the poles (in this particular case, the
South Pole). The pole need not be located at the center of this cap.
Therefore, it is possible to shift the cap a few degrees so that the
position check of 61 degree South is located outside the cap. This
movement is allowed since the flight passed a much great distance north on
the opposite side of the cap.
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Bud Light Spirit of Freedom is now 300 miles southwest of Thule Island and
is located at 60 degrees south latitude,15 degrees west longitude. The
balloon is flying at a speed of 77.5 miles per hour (124.7 km/hr) with a
heading of 77 degrees. Steve Fossett has now flown 11,535 miles (18,563.2
km), and is 63 percent complete with his flight.
is located at 60 degrees south latitude,15 degrees west longitude. The
balloon is flying at a speed of 77.5 miles per hour (124.7 km/hr) with a
heading of 77 degrees. Steve Fossett has now flown 11,535 miles (18,563.2
km), and is 63 percent complete with his flight.
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It's All Relative
ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI, JUNE 28, 2002, 2:00 a.m. CDT (JUNE 28, 2002, 7:00 UTC)
-- Steve Fossett and the Bud Light Spirit of Freedom, after only a day of
flying over the Atlantic, have less than 24 hours of flying ahead of them
before they reach the Indian Ocean.
The cold weather of the South Atlantic does not keep Steve from performing
routine maintenance on the balloon. While the balloon is experiencing
outside air temperatures between -30 and -35 degrees Celsius (-22 to -31
degrees Fahrenheit), because Steve is traveling at exactly the same speed
as the wind, he feels only the actual temperature without the effect of a
"wind chill".
Bud Light Spirit of Freedom is heading at 72 degrees at 81.1 miles per hour
(158 km per hour), and is currently at 24,200 feet (7376 meters). Its
location is 60 degrees south, 36 degrees west, and Fossett has flown 11,659
miles (17,429 km), the first 64% of the flight.
ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI, JUNE 28, 2002, 2:00 a.m. CDT (JUNE 28, 2002, 7:00 UTC)
-- Steve Fossett and the Bud Light Spirit of Freedom, after only a day of
flying over the Atlantic, have less than 24 hours of flying ahead of them
before they reach the Indian Ocean.
The cold weather of the South Atlantic does not keep Steve from performing
routine maintenance on the balloon. While the balloon is experiencing
outside air temperatures between -30 and -35 degrees Celsius (-22 to -31
degrees Fahrenheit), because Steve is traveling at exactly the same speed
as the wind, he feels only the actual temperature without the effect of a
"wind chill".
Bud Light Spirit of Freedom is heading at 72 degrees at 81.1 miles per hour
(158 km per hour), and is currently at 24,200 feet (7376 meters). Its
location is 60 degrees south, 36 degrees west, and Fossett has flown 11,659
miles (17,429 km), the first 64% of the flight.
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Current Telemetry
2002-06-28
08:46:47 UTC
Latitude 59° 10.35' S
Longitude 6° 44.38' W
Altitude 7620 m
Speed 122.7 km/hr
Heading 66.01°
Distance 19073.8 km
Duration 9 d 07:09:47
65% Complete
2002-06-28
08:46:47 UTC
Latitude 59° 10.35' S
Longitude 6° 44.38' W
Altitude 7620 m
Speed 122.7 km/hr
Heading 66.01°
Distance 19073.8 km
Duration 9 d 07:09:47
65% Complete
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Strong Progress
ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI, JUNE 28, 2002, 6:00 p.m. CDT (JUNE 28, 2002, 23:00
UTC) -- Steve Fossett of the Bud Light Spirit of Freedom balloon crossed
the Prime Meridian early this morning, and by the end of the afternoon, had
completed 70 percent of the First Solo Round-The-World balloon flight. The
balloon has traveled 12,770.9 miles (20,225.2 km), exceeding the12,695
miles (20,312 km) traveled on last year's flight before Fossett was forced
to land in Brazil due to mechanical and weather-related problems. All of
this is making Fossett ''happy as a clam,'' says Joe Richie, Mission
Control Director. Richie says there remains just one ''final tough one''
between Fossett and his round-the-world goal. This last ''big hurdle'' is
the storm cells that are hovering off the southern and southeastern coasts
of Africa.
Chief Meteorologist Luc Trullemans and Assistant Meteorologist David
Dehenauw say there is a high probablility that thunderstorms will move
directly into Bud Light Spirit of Freedom's path near the coast of South
Africa. They have recommended that the balloon slow down by flying at a
lower altitude, thus staying behind the thunderstorms and traveling farther
north over parts of South Africa. By the time the balloon crosses to the
east side of Africa, the thunderstorms should no longer be a threat. This
will likely add half a day to the predicted flight duration, but avoiding
the thunderstorms is the first priority at this point of the flight.
On a lighter note, Fossett's attempt to complete the First Solo
Round-The-World flight has been attracting interest from around the world.
Steve has received an email from the Argentine Air Force, praising his
courage and wishing him luck on the rest of his flight. Mission Control has
also received similar messages from spectators watching the flight from six
out of the seven continents (Antarctica, where are you?).
Bud Light Spirit of Freedom is currently at 50 degrees south latitude, 10
degrees east longitude with a heading of 37.74 degrees. At 21,800 feet
(6,644.6 meters), Fossett is cruising at a steady 70.4 miles per hour
(113.2 km/hr). Bud Light Spirit of Freedom is completing its 10th day of
flight.
ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI, JUNE 28, 2002, 6:00 p.m. CDT (JUNE 28, 2002, 23:00
UTC) -- Steve Fossett of the Bud Light Spirit of Freedom balloon crossed
the Prime Meridian early this morning, and by the end of the afternoon, had
completed 70 percent of the First Solo Round-The-World balloon flight. The
balloon has traveled 12,770.9 miles (20,225.2 km), exceeding the12,695
miles (20,312 km) traveled on last year's flight before Fossett was forced
to land in Brazil due to mechanical and weather-related problems. All of
this is making Fossett ''happy as a clam,'' says Joe Richie, Mission
Control Director. Richie says there remains just one ''final tough one''
between Fossett and his round-the-world goal. This last ''big hurdle'' is
the storm cells that are hovering off the southern and southeastern coasts
of Africa.
Chief Meteorologist Luc Trullemans and Assistant Meteorologist David
Dehenauw say there is a high probablility that thunderstorms will move
directly into Bud Light Spirit of Freedom's path near the coast of South
Africa. They have recommended that the balloon slow down by flying at a
lower altitude, thus staying behind the thunderstorms and traveling farther
north over parts of South Africa. By the time the balloon crosses to the
east side of Africa, the thunderstorms should no longer be a threat. This
will likely add half a day to the predicted flight duration, but avoiding
the thunderstorms is the first priority at this point of the flight.
On a lighter note, Fossett's attempt to complete the First Solo
Round-The-World flight has been attracting interest from around the world.
Steve has received an email from the Argentine Air Force, praising his
courage and wishing him luck on the rest of his flight. Mission Control has
also received similar messages from spectators watching the flight from six
out of the seven continents (Antarctica, where are you?).
Bud Light Spirit of Freedom is currently at 50 degrees south latitude, 10
degrees east longitude with a heading of 37.74 degrees. At 21,800 feet
(6,644.6 meters), Fossett is cruising at a steady 70.4 miles per hour
(113.2 km/hr). Bud Light Spirit of Freedom is completing its 10th day of
flight.