Solo Spirit Photo Gallery

Click on each of the images below to see an enlarged version.

Previous photos


Alan and Joe Alan Blount and Washington Univesity Chancellor, Mark Wrighton. Bob Rice Alan Blount prepares to send a message to Steve.
World map with pins Solo Spirit's position on August 15. Bob Rice charts Solo Spirit's path on a map of Australia
World map with pins Press conference after Steve crosses half-way mark. Alan Blount and Mark Wrighton attempt to talk to Fossett by satellite phone.

Launch Photos

Fossett with balloon Pilot Steve Fossett gets final instructions before launch. Inflated balloon Balloon inflation complete; Solo Spirit is ready to launch.
Connecting the tanks Tim Cole, chief engineer, (left) and Steve Fossett work to secure the fuel tanks. Balloon inflation Bert Padelt, systems manager, (right foreground) helps make sure balloon inflation goes smoothly.
Checking balloon Bert Padelt, systems manager, (left) and Dennis Brown, launch director, check balloon conditions. Press conference Steve Fossett answers questions from the media at a pre-launch press conference.
Securing tanks Launch team members secure fuel tanks to the gondola.
Photos from Mendoza, Argentina, by Claudia Daut, courtesy of Reuters

Balloon diagram A labeled diagram of the current Solo Spirit Balloon designed and built by Cameron Balloons for the August, 1998 flight. Fossett Steve Fossett is pleased with the test flight of Solo Spirit in Colorado.
Washington University

This page was last updated August 11, 1998 17:00 UTC
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