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Through the Balloon Museum's new blog, we hope you’ll find inspiration, a sense of community, and a touch of humor—because we could all use a little more joy in our day-to-day lives. Watch for upcoming articles, short videos and image galleries featuring our collection of artifacts, behind the scenes endeavors, stories from around the state, reflections from locals, moments shared by balloon crews and more.
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The HB-BAS balloon with the Polar Expedition team flies over a family of polar bears during their training. Photo from Polar Expedition Status Quo 23. February 2026 page 14.
2026 Polar Expedition Following Salomon Andrée’s Path
- Article composed by the Balloon Museum in collaboration the Polar Expedition team.
From June 11 through 24 our staff here at the Balloon Museum will be using the Polar Steps app to follow the journey of our Polar Expedition partners. Any updates we receive will be added to the travel log. An interactive map also provides a live view of the team's location. The Balloon Museum and the Balloon Museum Foundation are official sponsors of the 2026 Polar Expedition Following Salomon Andrée’s Path.
This Polar Expedition team of twelve will be flying the hot air balloon HB-BAS over the Arctic. During this treacherous journey the team will face freezing temperatures creating the risk of frostbite and malnutrition. Traveling through the Arctic they also run the risk of experiencing snow blindness; having encounters with polar bears; and needing to navigate water-based landings. In order to prepare for this excursion, and to obtain the proper clearances required, the team has to complete rigorous training regulated by the Civil Aviation Authority of Norway (CAA).
Peter Cuneo, board member with the Balloon Museum Foundation. Read Peter's bio and the bios of his teammates at: Atlantic-Explorer.com.
Atlantic Explorer 2026 Flight Control: Peter Cuneo, Balloon Museum Foundation Member is Making History
- By Kim Vesely, Atlantic Explorer 2026 Press Officer
Peter Cuneo, board member with the Balloon Museum Foundation is actively traveling across the Atlantic Ocean with his Atlantic Explorer team."The adventure begins tonight! Three balloonists attempting to make the first successful crossing of the Atlantic Ocean with a balloon using hydrogen gas for lift are readying their craft for flight in Presque Isle, ME. They anticipate launching at approximately 10:00 PM EDT (8:00 PM MDT / 0200 UTC). Their flight aboard the Atlantic Explorer to Europe is expected to take six days, during which the pilots will live in the open air in an aluminum frame basket smaller than most closets. There is no respite until they reach Europe – once clear of Newfoundland, their only place to land is in the open ocean."
A fold-out of the first balloon to fly in England flown by Italian balloonist, Vincenzo Lunardi, in 1784 (“An Account of the First Aerial Voyage in England”). Photo by Eva Guerrero
From 629.133 to Infinite Heights: Behind-the Scenes of Organizing the Balloon Museum Library
- By Rachel Blomquist, Museum Registrar.
Written in celebration of National Library Week - Find Your Joy!"Do you ever wonder how you organize a library where every book is about the same thing? We can personally tell you it takes a ton of drawing boards and a very dedicated volunteer named Brenda! Our collections team (and Brenda) has spent since 2023 sorting through international treasures and out-of-print gems to create a one-of-a-kind research hub right here in ABQ."