ST. LOUIS (Reuters) -- U.S. pilot Steve Fossett on Saturday broke his own distance record for a manned balloon flight as he neared the halfway mark in his bid to become the first person to circle the world nonstop in a balloon.

His control center at Washington University in St. Louis said Fossett was north of the coast of Australia when he reached 10,480.4 miles (16,866 km) at 5:30 a.m. EDT, breaking his own record of 10,360.61 miles set in January 1997.

"He's (Fossett) happy and excited about it. He'll be hitting the halfway point in about one hour and a half," said Doug Blount from mission control.

The halfway point to circle the globe is about 11,000 miles. Fossett is expected to fly over Perth at about 1 p.m. EDT Saturday.

Fossett's combination helium and hot-air balloon broke the record at an altitude of about 30,000 feet, Blount said, possibly another record for an American pilot.

Ground team optimistic

His ground team said earlier that conditions looked good for Fossett to make the long, last reach over the South Pacific.

"At this time, the longer-range projections are suggesting no weather reason not to commit beyond Australia and into the Pacific, but this decision will be our crisis du jour during the weekend," said Bob Rice, the team's chief meteorologist.

Fossett, a 54-year-old financial markets millionaire, has maintained an altitude in excess of 29,000 feet, the highest level since the trip began a week ago in western Argentina.

Rice said the height was crucial in order to keep the balloon in an easterly flow over the Indian Ocean and was essential earlier to enable Fossett to escape possibly trip-ending circular winds at lower levels.

He said it was hoped the balloon could be brought down to lower -- though slower -- levels as it passes over Australia to improve the comfort level for the pilot. The balloon is not pressurized, though the capsule is heated and Fossett is on oxygen.

Fossett watches his balloon "Solo Spirit" before lifting off August 7 in Mendoza, Argentina

Just the fax

Australia was an important target for the balloonist because it is along the most direct route toward the South Pacific and South America and because it offered Fossett the last substantial chance to abort the mission over land should he decide he cannot make the long final leg over water.

Should he have to ditch in the ocean, his balloon capsule is designed to float. He also has a four-man life raft. Fossett's control center said it would alert the nearest ship if he did go down over water.

Fossett has a satellite telephone but has done nearly all of his communicating via e-mail through a satellite link that produces a fax at his control center. He has avoided using the telephone because it is a drain on the battery and takes a scientific experiment on board the craft offline when he uses it.

Fossett made three previous tries for the around-the-world mark, all of them in the Northern Hemisphere. The current expedition could last 18 days.

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