81.   The balloon was to circumnavigate the globe during the next two weeks, passing over southern Africa and South America before returning to Australia.

82.   The balloons would be much cheaper than anti-aircraft missiles and would not need much skill to deploy, he said.

83.   The balloon was to be semi-inflated with helium gas Monday night in preparation for the launch.

84.   The balloon was to be followed around the world by a chase plane carrying six people.

85.   The balloons were to be inflated, raising the pieces slightly off the seabed.

86.   The Chinese said the slow-moving silver balloon would have been a safety risk to aircraft.

87.   The crossing is expected to take six days and if all goes well the balloon will next be over land in California or western Mexico.

88.   The flight was aborted Wednesday after Beijing objected that the slow-moving silver balloon would have been a safety risk to aircraft during a busy holiday period.

89.   The flight was aborted Wednesday after Beijing objected, saying the slow-moving silver balloon would have been a safety risk to aircraft during a busy holiday period.

90.   The hydrogen balloons were in the annual Gordon Bennett race, a contest to see which balloon can fly the farthest.