The Örnen (Eagle): S.A. Andrée designed the balloon system and had it built in Henri Lachambre’s Paris workshop. The balloon, Örnen (Eagle), was made of varnished Chinese silk, arranged in two or three layers, depending on location on the envelope. The envelope was also reinforced around the valves. The height of the inflated envelope was 26.67 meters (87.5 feet) from crown to the load ring. The volume of the balloon was 4,500 cubic meters (160,000 cubic feet) in 1896 and was increased to 4,815 cubic meters (approximately 170,000 cubic feet) for the 1897 flight. It had a lifting force of 5,296 kg (11,675 pounds). As shown above, the net was made of 384 interwoven hemp cords. Near the bottom, the number of cords is stepped down and terminated with 48 suspending cords for joining it to the load ring.

Arctic Air: The Bold Flight of S.A. Andrée

When the bold flight of S.A. Andrée began on July 11, 1897, no one had yet reached the North Pole. There had been other attempts, all unsuccessful, but this expedition intended to fly there by balloon from Danes Island, an icy outpost at nearly the top of the world. His balloon named Örnen (Eagle), and the expedition as a whole was well equipped and supported by technology that was innovative or state-of-the-art for the time. Andrée had also designed, tested, and installed a combination of balloon steering systems – sails and guide ropes – that were intended to influence their direction and altitude. However, despite having these resources S.A. Andrée and his crew never made it home alive. While the camp they established was later discovered the exact cause of death for each crew member has become the subject of many long debates. This dramatic and often misunderstood story has also become the subject in many news articles, books, Hollywood films and more.