Breitling Orbiter 3

The Breitling Orbiter 3 was a high-altitude balloon that achieved the first nonstop circumnavigation of the globe by balloon. Piloted by Bertrand Piccard and Brian Jones, the journey began on March 1, 1999, and concluded 19 days, 21 hours, and 55 minutes later in Egypt. The balloon utilized a combination of hot air and helium, and featured a pressurized cabin, a critical innovation for long-distance flights. This historic flight relied heavily on meteorological techniques and the strategic use of the jet stream to navigate across continents and oceans. The Breitling Orbiter 3's gondola is now on display at the Smithsonian Institution's National Air and Space Museum.12345