With the help of an engineering team from Des Champs Laboratories, Inc. (Natural Bridge Station, VA), hot-air balloonist Kevin Uliassi completed the longest duration solo flight (excluding space flight) in history, logging 10 days, 3 hrs, and 46 min aloft. Des Champs designed, built, and donated equipment that provided ventilation air and maintained a livable temperature inside the unpressurized gondola.