Longitude 117
Millionaire balloonist Steve Fossett has become the first person to fly all the way around the world in a hot-air balloon. It was the sixth try for the 58-year-old American, who nearly died in a 1998 attempt when his balloon plummeted into the Coral Sea. This time Fossett returned triumphantly to his starting point off Australia’s southern coast, after spending 13 days hurtling along at up to 200 mph, 30,000 feet above ground. “I can’t do very much celebrating here,” Fossett radioed to mission control as he crossed the finish line. “I do have a few bottles of Bud Light, but I’m saving it for the landing.” He landed safely in the Australian outback a few hours later.
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