Updated 04 July 2002, 10.45

A nearby helicopter shows how big the balloon is

 Click here to see Fossett's record-breaking route

First the balloon flew through turbulence so bad that Fossett strapped himself into a parachute just in case the balloon burst and he had to jump off.

Bumpy ride

Then a fire broke out on board the capsule.

Fossett had to climb outside high above the ground, and put it out before it set fire to the balloon's gas supply.

Finally, when Fossett's Spirit of Freedom balloon did hit the ground in Australia, the wind dragged it along for 15 minutes before his 14-day journey came to an end.

Next adventure planned

Amazingly the 58-year-old is already a planning his next spectacular adventure.

He's hoping to fly a glider up to the edge of the earth's atmosphere, almost into space, above south New Zealand.

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Past Stories
	Record-breaking balloon route!
	Round-the-world balloon man almost home
	Science Week lifts off with balloon launch
	Skydiver balloons to record new heights