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The Earthwinds balloon prepares to lift off from Stead Airport north of Reno, Nev., at dawn Wednesday. But the hourglass-shape balloon ended its latest attempt at a round-the-world flight seven hours and 200 miles later, thanks to a broken piece of equipment. It was the fourth time in two years that the balloon - nearly as tall as a football field is long - failed to get going on a bid to make the first nonstop, manned balloon flight around the world. After takeoff, Earthwinds soared over the Sierra Nevada. But the crew discovered a broken shaft on a valve that regulates air pressure and "in that instant, we knew it was doomed," crew member Larry Newman said.