The helium balloon Michel Fournier was going to use to soar to the stratosphere detached from the capsule he was going to use to jump from 130,000 feet (40,000 meters).
It happened after the balloon was inflated on the ground at the airport in North Battleford, Saskatchewan. The balloon drifted away into the sky without the capsule.
The balloon was reported to have cost at least US$200,000 and Fournier was said to have already exhausted his finances. His handlers planned a media briefing.
Fournier, 64, had planned to make the attempt Monday, but had to postpone his plans because of weather conditions.
Attempts in 2002 and 2003 ended when wind gusts shredded his balloon before it even became airborne.
Fournier hoped to break the record for the fastest and longest free fall, the highest parachute jump and the highest balloon flight. He also hoped to bring back data that will help astronauts and others survive in the highest of altitudes.
http://apnews.excite.com/article/200805 ... 13RO4.html
