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For a journey to the edge of space

MUMBAI: The businessman Vijaypat Singhania said on Tuesday he was confident of becoming the first person to fly a hot air balloon to the edge of space later this week.

Mr. Singhania, 67, plans to fly at a height of 21,000 m on Saturday. The current record of 19,811 m was set by Sweden's Per Lindstrand in Texas, in 1988.

British pilots Andy Elson and Colin Prescot, who lead Mr. Singhania's technical team, have designed the 40-tonne balloon, fired by propane and kerosene, and the pressurised aluminum cabin he will be sealed in. The flight could take about five hours and the balloon will travel 100 km. Mr. Elson said that Mr. Singhania "will be right on the edge of space." — AP

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