August 6 - The
Canadian da Vinci Project Team has notified the ANSARI X PRIZE
of its intention to launch its rocket on October 2nd, 2004,
marking its official entry in the international,
commercially-funded space race competition.
The da Vinci Project, which unveiled its rocket Wild Fire
today, joins one American team -- in a field of 26 -- to
announce its launch date. "With two ANSARI X PRIZE teams
launching within days of each other for the $10 million prize
(U.S.), we truly have a remarkable race for space," said Dr.
Peter H. Diamandis, Chairman and Founder of the X PRIZE
Foundation. The recipient of the $10 million prize will be the
first team to travel safely to space twice within a two-week
period on a privately funded, re-useable spacecraft.
Brian Feeney, who plans to pilot Wild Fire approximately
110 kilometers into suborbital space, said the team is
finalizing construction of the rocket as well as logistical
details related to the event, which will be held in
Kindersley, Saskatchewan.
"We're very close to achieving our mission, thanks to the
organizations and individuals that understand the significance
of this race," said Feeney. "The da Vinci Project is on the
cusp of a new era of space travel for humankind. Our team is
proof positive that ingenuity and innovation can overcome the
impossible."
In addition, Feeney announced a new sponsor to finance the
project. Golden Palace.Com, the world's largest online casino,
has signed on as the title sponsor. The Golden Palace.Com
Space Program -- Powered By The da Vinci Project -- is poised
to make history.
According to sources at the casino, GoldenPalace.com is
excited and very proud to be a part of the historic flight of
the Wild Fire. In the continuing pursuit for innovative ideas
for exposure, Golden Palace sources believes the ANSARI X
Prize competition provides the advertising exposure as well as
the added incentive of a history-making event that will
eventually serve to benefit all humankind.
The da Vinci Project, which Feeney describes as the largest
volunteer technology project in Canada, has achieved several
critical milestones since officially entering the competition
in 1996. These milestones have included the filing of
necessary papers to Canadian government for launch approval;
securing the site for launch; the testing of engine
components; testing the design and securing a wide range of
sponsors including Sun Microsystems of Canada, Blake Cassels
Graydon, ANSYS, Hinz Automation and Kindersley Transport.
"The da Vinci Project is emblematic of the spirit of the
ANSARI X PRIZE," said Diamandis. "It brings together many of
the best and brightest to break down preconceived notions on
space travel and prove that we are no longer bound to one
planet."
The X PRIZE Foundation is working with the Federation
Aeronautique Internationale (FAI), the international body
responsible for all aviation and space world records, to
ensure that the ANSARI X PRIZE winner will also receive
official international recognition for his achievement. In
addition to duration, altitude and distance, the FAI has
introduced new world record categories for 'minimum time
between two consecutive sub-orbital flights in a reusable
vehicle' and 'number of persons carried in sub-orbital
flight'.
