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trary ruling was eventually overturned in the courts in 1960. In spite of his prudishness (or maybe because of it), Lafayette was so pleased with his visit, that a road in new subdivision was named Summerfield Drive in his honor.One of the most-anticipated events of Operation Jupiter was a modern version of Wise%u2019s 1859 flight by balloonist Donald Piccard. A member of a distinguished ballooning family, Donald was the son of famous Swiss balloon scientist Jean Piccard (namesake of Star Trek%u2019s Jean Luc Piccard) as well as nephew of August Piccard (Jean%u2019s identical twin brother), who was also an accomplished balloonist%u2014and inventor of the deep-sea bathyscaphe.Donald Piccard%u2019s 20th-century balloon, Jupiter II, was scheduled to launch at 3:30 p.m. from an open area on the west side of the Wabash River. Sadly, there was almost a two-hour delay due to a lost coupling needed to connect the 31 bottles of hydrogen to the balloon%u2019s gas valve. During this time, a No Smoking Rule was in effect, due to the flammable nature of hydrogen.After the valve problem was resolved, Piccard made three unsuccessful attempts to take off. Finally, on his fourth try, at 5:19 p.m., a strong breeze lifted his balloon high enough to clear the trees along the banks of the Wabash River. Cheering and pointing, 10,000 excited onlookers watched from a muddy field (the result of the previous day%u2019s rain), from drier hilltops, from stopped cars, and from the open windows of buildings.Piccard carried with him 146 pieces of mail given him by Postmaster General Summerfield. He had hoped to cover thirty miles, but traveled only four. After being airborne for a mere 15 minutes, he was about a mile-and-a-half southeast of Battleground, and found himself being blown toward a large tree. Hoping to avoid it, he attempted to land in a pasture, but a strong gust forced Jupiter II into the treetop. There, Piccard was stuck, and his flight was over%u2014having covered only a fraction of the meager distance traveled by Professor Wise. With his gondola about 25 feet off the ground, Piccard had to be helped down by locals along with several Indiana State Police officers. Fortunately, his only injury was to his pride. Besides Jupiter II, there was a second balloon ascension on August 17, 1959. But it was an unofficial commercial venture, not sponsored by the Operation Jupiter Committee. The idea for this Donald Piccard (left) with Lafayette Postmaster Albert Pyke, as Jupiter II is being filled with hydrogen.