American adventurer Mr Steve Fossett has finally taken off in his latest attempt to fly solo around the world in a balloon.
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The 57-year-old Chicago millionaire said he was confident despite weeks of delays and setbacks.
The Solo Spirit's initial ascent from a remote airfield near Perth, in Australia, was slow.
Ground crew watched anxiously for any signs of problems.
Solo Spiritis 43 metre high and 18 metres wide, making it vulnerable to winds at launch.
About 200 spectators huddled in the cold night air at a remote airfield in the small town of Northam, 60 miles east of Perth.
Before the launch Mr Fossett commented: "In the first night I will have to find out whether the equipment is working.
"That's when I'll find out whether there are any leaks in the balloon, whether there's failures in the communication equipment and whether the all important cabin heaters work, so I have good reason to be nervous about the first night of flight."
Fossett is keen to make another launch after his last bid on June 17, when a freak gust of wind blew over gas tanks attached to the balloon's capsule and ripped the silver-coloured envelope.
He will spend most of his time flying at altitudes of up to 30,000 feet in a cramped capsule that will float and emit signals for rescuers if he is forced to ditch in the ocean.
PA