American adventurer prepares latest round the world balloon bid

American adventurer Steve Fossett was today putting finishing touches to preparations for his latest attempt to fly a balloon solo around the globe.

Fossett’s helium-filled balloon Solo Spirit was being prepared for a scheduled Saturday night inflation and lift off from Northam, 60 miles from the Western Australian capital Perth.

Fossett, a Chicago investment tycoon, tried to take off from Kalgoorlie, a gold mining town in the Western Australian desert, on June 17 but a gust of wind toppled the helium canisters and ripped the balloon’s fabric forcing repairs.

Saturday’s forecast is better.

‘‘No wind,’’ Fossett said. ‘‘Exactly what we want.’’

He said he and his launch team were looking forward to departure.

‘‘I’m ready, the team is ready, morale is up. They are finally getting to do what they came her for,’’ Fossett said.

He could leave as early as midnight on Saturday (1700 Irish time) weather permitting.

Last month, the 57-year-old tried again to launch a balloon from Kalgoorlie but was continually hampered by poor weather, prompting his move to Northam, where conditions are more favourable.

When fully inflated with 550,000 cubic feet of helium, the balloon stands 140 feet high and 60 feet in diameter and is very vulnerable to winds at the surface.

If Fossett gets airborne, the flight, eastward around the world, will take about 15 days.

In 1998, Fossett came close to flying around the world, but his flight was abruptly ended by a violent thunderstorm which dumped him into the Coral Sea east of Australia.

During the latest flight, Fossett will live in a cramped, canary-yellow capsule, sleeping for no more than four hours a day, breathing at times through an oxygen mask and eating military-style rations.