Steve Fossett Steve Fossett is a 52 year old man that is trying to make it around the world in a hot air balloon solo. He has made six attempts but hasn't made it in any one of them. Even though he did not make it around the world solo he did brake two world records. One was for covering the longest distance. The second one was for remaining afloat for the longest time.
Steve Fossett made his first attempt in February of 1995. He left from Seoul, South Korea, and he landed in Mendgam, Saskatchewan. Steve Fossett has now completed the first solo Pacific crossing.
Steve Fossett made his second attempt in January of 1997. He left from St. Louis, Missouri, crossed over Africa, and landed in Sultanpru, India. During his second attempt he broke the record of the longest time and distance for a solo balloon flight.
Steve Fossett made his third attempt in January of 1998. During this attempt he made the first crossing of the European continent. He was then forced to land close to the village of Grechanaya Balka, Russia, at 11:27 UTC, on January 5, 1998.
Steve Fossett left Mendoza, Argentina in August of 1998 to make his fourth attempt to make it around the world in a hot air balloon solo. He crossed the Indian oceans, and the South Atlantic, but then was forced to land in the Coral Sea in Australia.
Steve Fossett made his fifth attempt in December of 1998. This time he did not go alone. He teamed up with Richard Branson and Per Linstrand. They made a good effort, but it was ditched close to Hawaii.
Steve Fossett's sixth attempt was said to be his last flight for a while so he could take a rest. Steve Fossett launched his balloon and left Western Australia on August 4, 2001 at 7:08 am, and planned to make the first solo flight around the globe in fifteen days. That did not happen because he had to land because of bad weather near the Brazilian city Bage at about 7 a.m. on August 17.
Steve Fosset was a very determined man who wanted to make it around the world in a hot air balloon solo. He had many attempts and finally made his sixth attempt his last one for a while so he could rest. Even though he did not make it around the world he got two world records. That's still very good!Return to home page