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Global Contenders '97/'98

Diagram of altitudes with various balloons indicated at the levels at which they'll fly

Click on any balloon to get the details on that team's circumnavigation attempt. Please note that this information is current as of December 2, and will not be updated. For the latest information, check out the individual team websites listed in our Resources.

Breitling Orbiter | Global Hilton | J. Renee | Steve Fossett | Virgin Global Challenger



The Goal

balloon circumnavigating the globe

The goal is the first non-stop circumnavigation of the earth by balloon. According to the Federation Aeronautique Internationale (FAI), the governing body for air sports, the balloon flight must meet several specific standards in order to be considered an official circumnavigation. Although the official flight requirements are complicated, in essence the balloonists must recross the longitude of their take-off, and fly a minimum of 12,500 miles.







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