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Lindstrand Breaks Altitude RecordNovember 27, 1996Reno, Nevada: Per Lindstrand broke the existing high altitude record for a De Rozier balloon earlier this week when he launched from Reno, Nevada in a 77,000 cubic foot balloon. The previous record of 26,900 feet, held by Steve Fossett, was broken by some 9,000 feet when Lindstrand reached an estimated 35,000 feet. "We won't know the official height until the on-board barograph reading is ascertained," said Ron Behrman, a member of the launch crew and a photographer covering the event. A barograph is a type of barometer that automatically records changes in atmospheric pressure. The flight was also a data-gathering test flight, as the balloonists will be flying at the same altitude in their trans-global flight which, according to the Virgin team, will be launch-ready December 1. Lindstrand began breathing supplimental oxygen two hours before lift-off to acclimatize his body to the increased levels of oxygen he would be taking in during the high altitude flight. The balloon was filled with helium until it reached equilibrium (the point just before lift-off), and then just enough was added to create lift for the system which comprised of a De Rozier balloon, a 110 pound basket, a propane tank, 2 oxygen tanks, 8 sandbags, and Per Lindstrand. The 12:50 p.m. launch of the high altitude flight was out of Nevada's Reno Stead Field, and Lindstrand managed to climb to 35,000 feet and then land safely within two hours. "It only took him 34 minutes to get to altitude. That means he had a 1,200 to 1,400 foot per minute ascent rate," says Behrman. The landing proved to be "textbook" as he touched down on a road in a nearby valley. But finding Lindstrand was no easy task for the chase team that finally caught up with him at 7:00 p.m. "After landing, he walked four miles to a ridge to get radio contact," explained Behrman. Luckily, there was no question of Lindstrand being prepared for the elements, as he had just come from a 58 degree below zero temperature at 35,000 feet. The Virgin team is now readying for the launch of their around-the-world system in early December from Marakech, Morroco. In the meantime, Steve Fossett and his Solo Spirit team are ready for launch and waiting for optimal weather conditions at Busch Stadium in St. Louis, Missouri. (table of contents) Science of Ballooning | Teacher's Guide | Resources | Transcript | Balloon Home Editor's Picks | Previous Sites | Join Us/E-mail | TV/Web Schedule About NOVA | Teachers | Site Map | Shop | Jobs | Search | To print PBS Online | NOVA Online | WGBH © | Updated October 2000 |