Balloonists Aim for First Hydrogen Flight Across the Atlantic
The straight-gas attempt would be the first successful hydrogen crossing after a 1958 try ended with a ditch in the ocean, crew member Kim Vesley said.
- The Atlantic Explorer Team is preparing to launch a record-breaking hydrogen balloon flight across the Atlantic Ocean from Maine.
- Several crew members are from Albuquerque, New Mexico, with ties to the annual Balloon Fiesta, providing ballooning expertise for the mission.
- Crew member Kim Vesley said, "This is what's called a straight gas flight, and it will use hydrogen." The mission relies on hydrogen as its primary lifting gas.
- The journey has only been attempted once before; the previous team tried flying east to west, "not the usual direction," and had to ditch in the ocean.
- If the team succeeds, this would mark the first successful hydrogen balloon flight across the Atlantic, establishing a historic milestone in aviation.
29 Articles
29 Articles
Balloon crew aims to make history
An international team of balloonists will attempt to make history from northern Maine, where they will launch an expedition Wednesday night that — if successful — would be the first trans-Atlantic crossing in an open-basket hydrogen balloon. The Atlantic Explorer, formerly known as the Torabhaig Atlantic Explorer, is expected to set off from Presque Isle around 10 p.m. bound for Europe. A completed crossing would cover approximately 3,100 miles …
Bangor Daily News: Team attempting 1st trans-Atlantic trip in hydrogen balloon will launch from Maine tonight
Bangor Daily News: Team attempting 1st trans-Atlantic trip in hydrogen balloon will launch from Maine tonight. “For the fourth consecutive year, an international team of balloonists will attempt to make history from northern Maine, where they will launch Wednesday night on an expedition that — if successful — would be the first trans-Atlantic crossing in an open-basket hydrogen balloon.”
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