Rory McCarthy Richard Branson Per Lindstrand

Marrakech, Morocco (approximately 31 degrees latitude)

Launch Window: winter '97-'98
Cruising Altitude: up to 40,000 feet
Duration: 2-3 weeks
Outside Air Temperature: -50 degrees C
Speed: up to 120 mph

Type: De Rozier
Height: 170 feet
Diameter: 118 feet
Color: top of balloon is white, cone of balloon is aluminum
Fabric: high-tech aramid fabric

Height: 9 feet
Diameter: 9 feet
Fuel: Propane
Fuel Cylinders: 6 propane tanks, 1 ton each with internal heater to thaw frozen gas

• Challenger's main communications system transmits via satellites using Inmarsat constellation.
  
• Satcom-C transceivers
  
• "Mini-M" satellite system
  
• Marine and Aircraft VHF/HF radios.
  
• 3 satellite GPS receivers
  

Ozone instruments will be taken along to measure the presence of halocarbons in the atmosphere.