Steve Fosset is travelling to Sydney today after finally ending his record-breaking round-the-world trip.

After an uneventful flight around the world, Steve Fossett’s Spirit of Freedom balloon burst into flames forcing the American adventurer to climb out of his capsule in the middle of the Australian night to put it out.

American adventurer Steve Fossett drifted into aviation history today when he became the first man to fly a balloon solo around the world.

American balloonist Steve Fossett said today his quest to circle the globe is going better than his five previous tries, despite losing contact with mission control for five hours earlier in the trip.