Three pilots Thursday announced plans to use a NASA-designed helium balloon, thin as a sandwich bag and nearly as tall as the Empire State Building, to circle the globe at the edge of space.
The three men plan to lift off from Australia in late December or early January and cruise at an altitude of about 130,000 feet. Riding in a space capsule, they will cruise 80,000 feet higher than any manned balloon has attempted.
No balloonist has successfully circled the Earth.
Dave Liniger, 52, of Denver, will be the pilot. Joining him will be Bob Martin, 44, an Albuquerque reporter and pilot, and John Wallington, 42, of Canberra, Australia. They will depart from Alice Springs, Australia, and hope to complete the 22,800-mile, non-stop trip in 16 to 18 days.
