THE FIRST AMENDMENT AND THE FREE EXERCISE OF RELIGION. WELL, WE DO HAVE AN EXCITING UPDATE TO SHARE WITH YOU ABOUT A STORY THAT WE BROUGHT YOU LAST WEEK. THIS PENNSYLVANIA MAN OFFICIALLY NOW PART OF THE FIRST CREW EVER TO CROSS THE ATLANTIC OCEAN IN A HYDROGEN POWERED BALLOON. THE ATLANTIC EXPLORER LANDED SAFELY YESTERDAY MORNING NEAR THE VILLAGE OF TANDIL IN LUXEMBOURG, COMPLETING A JOURNEY THAT STARTED. I’M SORRY. STARTED IN MAINE ON THURSDAY, BURT PEDALED FROM THE ALLENTOWN AREA, WAS PART OF A THREE PERSON TEAM THAT TRAVELED AN UNOFFICIAL DISTANCE OF 2852 MILES, OVER 70 HOURS AND 11 MINUTES. THE BALLOON FIRST REACHED EUROPE ON SATURDAY WHEN IT CROSSED INTO FRANCE ALONG THE NORMANDY
Pennsylvania man joins first crew to cross the Atlantic in hydrogen-powered balloon
Updated: 6:17 PM EDT Jun 8, 2026
A Pennsylvania man was part of the first crew to cross the Atlantic Ocean in a hydrogen-powered balloon, completing the journey in just over 70 hours. The Atlantic Explorer landed safely Sunday morning near the village of Tandel in Luxembourg, following a trip that began in Maine on Thursday. Bert Padelt, from the Allentown area, was part of a three-person team that traveled an unofficial distance of 2,852 miles over 70 hours and 11 minutes. The balloon first reached Europe on Saturday, crossing into France along the Normandy coast.The timing was notable, as it marked 82 years to the day since the D-Day invasion.
A Pennsylvania man was part of the first crew to cross the Atlantic Ocean in a hydrogen-powered balloon, completing the journey in just over 70 hours.
Hearst OwnedAtlantic Explorer 2026 Flight Control
The Atlantic Explorer landed safely Sunday morning near the village of Tandel in Luxembourg, following a trip that began in Maine on Thursday.
Bert Padelt, from the Allentown area, was part of a three-person team that traveled an unofficial distance of 2,852 miles over 70 hours and 11 minutes.
Hearst OwnedAtlantic Explorer 2026 Flight Control
The balloon first reached Europe on Saturday, crossing into France along the Normandy coast.
Hearst OwnedAtlantic Explorer 2026 Flight Control
The timing was notable, as it marked 82 years to the day since the D-Day invasion.