Wim Verstraeten: Belgian professional balloonist
	Bertrand Piccard: Grandson of Auguste Piccard, first man to enter the stratosphere (see History of Ballooning)

Château-d'Oex, Switzerland.

Time of Year: (same as other teams) November 1996 to March 1997



Cruising Altitude: 30,000 - 39,000 feet



Speed: The speed of the jet stream, which could average 120 mph or 200 kph.

Design: De Rozier

Height: 150 feet or 45.7 meters
Capacity: 15,000 cubic meters or 529,650 cubic feet

Fabric: Nylon fabric. An outer aluminum-coated skin regulates the impact of solar radiation.

Design: Designed by Donald Cameron. This is a pressurized capsule with a 20 to 80 ratio of liquid oxygen to liquid nitogen. Carbon dioxide exhaled by the crew will be absorbed by lithium dioxide cartridges. The capsule has a pair of seats, a bunk, small toilet, and kitchenette along with numerous communications equipment.



Fuel: Propane
Length: 17 feet
Diameter: 7 feet
Weight: 1,200 pounds

Inmarsat Standard C: Utilizing standard Global Positioning Satellite Systems, this unit provides real-time tracking of the balloon's exact position and speed. This two-way satellite communications system also enables data transfer and E-mail between the capsule and the ground.



Inmarsat Standard M Satellite Phone: Allows for voice communication between the capsule and the ground.



HF Radio: With an estimated 6,000 mile range, this system has an air traffic control contact over the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans.



VHF Radio: With a range of 200 miles this communications system allows for air-to-air and air-to-ground communication. It also is the means for Air Traffic Control communication in the United States and Europe.