For Troy, it's a personal thing to do something better than anyone else in the world has done it before," Tami said. "It's also his way of [showing respect] to those who came before him by attempting to go after their records."
The mission was also a dream come true for Tiukhtyaev. Tiukhtyaev holds his own records. He has been a part of many long-distance gas balloon races. He had dreamed about breaking the duration record since he was a child.
Bradley and Tiukhtyaev were in good spirits during the trip. Still, it was difficult to spend days in such a small space. At high altitudes, they had to wear oxygen masks. They had to bundle up against the cold. They had sleeping bags, a small heater, and a simple toilet.
After the two men descended, family members joked that the pilots were in need of showers.
Tiukhtyaev was asked if he and Bradley were still friends after such a long trip. He said no.