Tycoon Rests Before Balloon Launch [Steve Fossett]

newsday ^ | 18 Jun 02 | ROB GRIFFITH

[RightWhale]

NORTHAM, Australia -- American adventurer Steve Fossett took a nap Tuesday afternoon -- probably the last decent shuteye he would get for more than two weeks as he attempts to circle the globe in a balloon.

Fossett was planning to take off around dawn Wednesday (4 p.m. EDT Tuesday) in his sixth attempt to fly solo around the world in a balloon.

Weather permitting, he hoped to begin inflating his hot air- and helium-filled balloon, the Bud Light Spirit of Freedom, in early Wednesday.

[RightWhale]

Yet another attempt. He is an athlete as well as a millionaire, got to give him credit for trying. And if he makes it, a well-deserved record. All the same, I wouldn't let him anywhere near the Space Shuttle.

[cornelis]

[cornelis]

Next:

[piasa]

"There are so many things that can go wrong," he said.

Yes, like having your balloon go down in Kashmir!

[RightWhale]

Seems like one of his earlier attempts was ruined by a country refusing him permission to use their airspace. That would be super constraining for a hot air balloon.

[monkey]

I hope he doesn't fly too low. Someone in the know told me that the Goodyear Blimp gets shot a dozen times each year.

[RightWhale]

Shooting at hot air balloons is probably illegal in most countries. Fossett will be above the range of most sidearms over land.

[piasa]

I wish him luck- Oh, wow, I see JimRob's made some changes on the reply form

[RightWhale]

He's headed for a record right now. He's not planning on completing his voyage all the way around to Australia, but he's hopeful.