In short, before thirty minutes had elapsed since the start, I was satisfied that I had passed entirely out of the atmosphere, and had entered into the vacancy of space--if such a thing as vacant space there be.
At this point I had to cut off the greater part of the apergy and check my speed, for reasons that will be presently apparent.

I had started in daylight in order that during the first hundred miles of my ascent I might have a clear view of the Earth's surface.

Not only did I wish to enjoy the spectacle, but as I had to direct my course by terrestrial landmarks, it was necessary that I should be able to see these so as to determine the rate and direction of the Astronaut's motion, and discern the first symptoms of any possible danger.

But obviously, since my course lay generally in the plane of the ecliptic, and for the present at least nearly in the line joining the centres of the Earth and Sun, it was desirable that my real journey into space should commence in the plane of the midnight meridian; that is, from above the part of the Earth's surface immediately opposite the Sun.

I had to reach this line, and having reached it, to remain for some time above it.