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Plotting the Flight The actual flight path for Solo Spirit cannot be predetermined. It's impossible to know exactly where the jet stream will take the balloon at any given moment weeks or even days in advance. But even with these uncertainties, there are trends in the wind patterns around the world. The general path that the jet stream takes is known, and it is this path that is used, along with current meteorological information, to determine the most likely route. While in flight, the Solo Spirit Meteorological Team constantly monitors the atmospheric conditions around the balloon and determines the optimal altitude for Steve to catch the jet stream. The current observations are used to forecast what the winds will be doing for the next few hours. Steve can adjust the altitude of his balloon so that he is influenced by the fastest wind current possible that is conducive to the around the world goal, the rules of the contest, and the limitations of his equipment. Solo Spirit is limited to a maximum altitude of approximately 10,000 m (33,000 feet) for two reasons: the gondola is unpressurized, and the helium envelope inside the balloon would expanding past critical pressure above this altitude. |
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