Alicia Hempleman-Adams becomes first British woman to cross Atlantic in hydrogen balloon

Alicia Hempleman-Adams has become the first British woman to complete a transatlantic journey in a hydrogen gas balloon after a four-day flight from the United States to Europe.The 36-year-old explorer travelled from Maine to Luxembourg alongside fellow balloonists Bert Padelt and Peter Cuneo, landing on Sunday after crossing the Atlantic Ocean in an open basket suspended beneath a hydrogen-filled balloon.Hempleman-Adams, who grew up in Box, Wiltshire, took part in the expedition after years of planning and a failed attempt last year that ended before the team reached the ocean, according to BBC.The crew departed from the US on Wednesday and faced harsh conditions during the journey, including freezing temperatures that dropped to minus 30 degrees Celsius, strong winds and periods of rain.Their balloon climbed to around 25,000 feet and reached speeds of up to 100 kilometres per hour during the crossing.Speaking after the flight, Hempleman-Adams said the team encountered repeated challenges and, at several points, considered the possibility of an emergency landing.“A few times we had to call in and say we need a rescue on standby because we weren’t sure how the next few hours were going to pan out,” she said.The expedition required constant monitoring of weather conditions, with meteorologists on the ground providing updates throughout the journey. Hempleman-Adams said the flight presented new obstacles every few hours, forcing the crew to adapt as conditions changed.The team also faced uncertainty as they approached Europe, including concerns over whether they would have enough ballast to safely reach land.Hydrogen balloons differ from traditional hot-air balloons by using hydrogen gas, which is lighter than air, allowing for longer-distance flights. The aircraft also carry sand ballast that can be released to control altitude.Hempleman-Adams is no stranger to record-setting expeditions. She already holds several aviation records and became the youngest person to reach the North Pole when she travelled there at the age of eight to meet her father, explorer David Hempleman-Adams.Her latest achievement makes her the first British woman ever to cross the Atlantic in a hydrogen gas balloon, adding another milestone to her list of exploration records.The achievement also carries a personal connection. Her father, who has completed the Atlantic crossing twice, had originally planned to be part of the crew before his daughter took his place on the flight.He was among those waiting to welcome the team after they landed in Luxembourg.