A British adventurer has made history by crossing the Atlantic Ocean in a hydrogen balloon. Alicia Hempleman-Adams, from Bath, along with her teammates Bert Padelt and Peter Cuneo, landed safely in Bastendorf, Luxembourg, at 5:58 AM UTC on Sunday.
Historic Achievement
The team confirmed that Ms Hempleman-Adams is now only the second woman ever and the first from Britain to cross the Atlantic Ocean by gas balloon. The crossing was accomplished aboard the Atlantic Explorer, an open-basket gas balloon that launched from Presque Isle, Maine, on Thursday at 6:08 AM UTC.
Mission Details
The mission aimed to achieve the first successful manned transoceanic flight in a balloon using hydrogen gas as the sole onboard source of lift. Throughout the journey, the crew flew at an average altitude of 14,000 feet, spending 70 hours in the air, with speeds reaching up to 100 kilometers per hour.
The team faced challenging conditions, including rain that caused ice to build up on the balloon, adding significant jeopardy to the flight. Once clear of Newfoundland, the only alternative landing site would have been the open ocean. The pilots had to navigate by flying at varying altitudes to maintain the correct trajectory.
Reaction and Legacy
After landing, Ms Hempleman-Adams expressed her pride in completing the crossing safely. She acknowledged the difficulties, stating, "There were times when we thought we might not make it." She credited the extraordinary team effort for bringing the balloon safely across the Atlantic.
Ms Hempleman-Adams's father, Sir David Hempleman-Adams, who previously completed the same journey solo in an open basket, praised her achievement, calling it "a remarkable achievement" given the challenging conditions.
Ms Hempleman-Adams was awarded an MBE for services to hot air ballooning in the King's Birthday Honours in 2024.
