Tycoon's latest balloon bid to circle the globe delayed

NORTHAM, Australia -- Strong winds forced a four-hour delay today in the launch of American adventurer Steve Fossett's latest solo round-the-world balloon.

Fossett was planning to take off around dawn in his sixth attempt to fly solo around the world.

But strong winds kept him from starting the four-hour process of inflating his hot air and helium-filled balloon, the Bud Light Spirit of Freedom, until shortly before dawn.

Fossett's launch team set up six big fans close to the balloon in an attempt to counteract the wind.

Fossett, a 58-year-old millionaire investment tycoon from Chicago, wants virtually no wind for the four-hour inflation process, since the slightest gust can topple the 140-foot-high balloon and possibly rip it open before the launch.

Despite numerous previous failures, Fossett said Tuesday he felt good about his chances.

"I suppose I had confidence in other flights and I believed we were well prepared, but this time they've solved all the problems we've had in previous flights," he said from the launch site in Northam, a small farming town 60 miles east of Perth in Western Australia state.

"No, I'm not confident at all. Instead, I'm optimistic. I feel this is the best chance we've ever had."

Fossett took off from Northam in July but bad weather forced him to crash his balloon in Brazil 12 days later. That trip was the longest-ever solo balloon flight.

That last flight also was plagued by worries that Fossett, who will be propelled eastward around the globe by high altitude winds, did not have enough oxygen. This time, he is taking twice as much as last time.

Once he gets airborne, Fossett will sit in a closet-sized Kevlar and carbon capsule under the balloon breathing oxygen through a mask and eating military-style rations. The balloon will drift at about six miles above sea level for most of the flight.

Fossett will take short naps and maybe get four hours of sleep each day. The cramped capsule is full of sophisticated communications and navigational equipment, including satellite phones and global positioning system equipment.

A mission control center at Washington University in St. Louis will monitor the flight and weather and regularly communicate with Fossett via e-mail and satellite phone.

Despite the meticulous preparations, Fossett acknowledged luck would play a major part in the flight's success or failure.

"There are so many things that can go wrong," he said.

"We stand here now thinking we're all set up and as prepared as we can be (but) there are hidden problems with routing, weather, equipment, and ... I'll have to deal with it. Hopefully, none of these problems will force me to land."

Fossett holds world records connected to balloons, sailboats and airplanes. He also swam the English Channel in 1985, placed fourth in the Iditarod dogsled race in 1992 and participated in the 24 Hours of Le Mans car race in 1996.

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On the Net:

http://www.spiritoffreedom.com