Breitling Orbiter 3

First balloon which flew non-stop round the world

The Breitling Orbiter 3 was the first balloon which flew non-stop round the world. In a tribute to the world-record trip of the balloonists Bernard Piccard and Brian Jones, the Swiss Post issued a stamp. On this stamp we see the balloon over the Alps on 1 March 1999, the first day of their successful journey.

45.755 kilometres flight

After 19 days and 21 hours the balloon landed safely in the Egyptian desert after a 45.755 kilometres flight.

Don Cameron

The balloon was designed by the English expert Don Cameron. The balloon was 55 metres high and weighed nearly nine tons. The capsule was made of carbon fibre and kevlar. The pilots lived during their trip in a capsule that measured 5,4 long and 2,9 metres high. It took several months to make the balloon envelope, which holds 18.500 m3 of helium, and a year to make the capsule.

Stamp in detail

Value: 0,90 Francs.
Date of issue: 24 March 1999.
Size: 28 x 33 mm.
Print: Offset, Swiss Post Stamp Printers.
Design: J.F. Luy and Swiss Post.

More information

Postage Stamps 1999