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Worlds
Largest Reusable Helium Balloon Completed by Canadian Manned Space
Flight Team
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Worlds
Largest Reusable Helium Balloon Completed by Canadian Manned Space
Flight Team
TORONTO December 2,
2004: –The
Golden Palace.com Space Program Powered by the da Vinci Project
announced today that it has completed construction and flight
qualification of the “Worlds Largest Reusable Helium Balloon” for
its planned manned flights to space. The balloon will carry the
projects Wild Fire MK VI manned spacecraft to its launch altitude of
70,000 feet (21,340 meters).
The Balloon was
built by the team throughout the late Summer, Fall. “It’s an
incredible achievement said Brian Feeney Team Leader of The Golden
Palace.com Space Program Powered by the da Vinci Project. It
follows years of research and development by the team with input
from some of the most talented balloon design and fabrication people
on the planet”.
At no time in the
program did we think this was something that could not be
accomplished. “It was a monumental undertaking. After all the
design, engineering and testing we hunkered down and built it said
Steven Davies Balloon Production Team Leader”. “Following months of
preparation we turned out the final flight balloon using production
equipment built by the project”.
“It’s like
everything else in this project said Brian Feeney, we’ve overcome
barrier after barrier driving toward our goal of private manned
space flight”. We’re definitely moving toward a first flight as
early as feasible in 2005”. The projects goal of putting the first
Canadian manned spacecraft into space and only the second private
team ever is sound. Getting down to it and engineering, testing and
building the largest reusable balloon ever is typical of the day to
day tasks face by the team. “This team is the most tenacious forward
thinking group of volunteers ever assembled.
The 4014 lb balloon
made from 4.5 mil thick custom extruded polyethylene sheets,
measures 152.7 feet in diameter and 200 feet in length fully
inflated. The volume is 3,698,167 cubic feet (104,615 cubic meters)
with a near record gross lift capability of 15,270 lbs (6,922 Kgs).
During the summer
the project successfully built and flew to 40,000 feet a smaller
balloon scaled to simulate all the flight stresses. In the lab test
sections of the final balloon were stress tested to 1200 psi, twice
the expected maximum stress loads. Balloon section stress tests were
carried out over 12 to 24 hour periods, greatly exceeding the actual
balloon float time of 2 hours per launch attempt.
“We didn’t stop
there says Brian Feeney. As a precursor to building the final
balloon, we constructed a second 100,000 cubic foot test balloon.
This enabled us to perfect the manufacturing process as well as
provide an additional large balloon for field launch testing. We
even micrometer tested the thickness of every 400 foot gore, every
12 inches, to be sure the material was within specification”.
Several additional
elements are engineered into the balloon design and recovery system
to achieve the full reusability needed for multiple flights to
space.
About The Golden
Palace.com Space Program Powered by the da Vinci Project
(www.davinciproject.com)
The Golden Palace.com Space Program Powered by the da Vinci
Project's was a leading contender for the Ansari X PRIZE, the
international "New Race to Space(R)". The Project is backed by a
core of volunteers from many walks of life and disciplines.
Aerospace engineers, experts in project management and finance
contribute their time and expertise towards the realization of the
next step in Human discovery. The Project's novel rocket design will
be launched from the world's largest reusable helium balloon at an
altitude of 70,000 feet (24,400 meters). To learn more, visit
www.davinciproject.com.
PIC of the balloon is sent under a separate email:
For more
information, please call:
Golden Palace / da Vinci
Project Media Contacts:
Una McAvoy
416-633-2975, umcavoy@davinciproject.com
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The GoldenPalace.com Space Program
Powered by the da Vinci Project continues to make headway! |
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Worlds
Largest Reusable Helium Balloon Completed by Canadian Manned Space
Flight Team
Toronto
November 25, 2004
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The
GoldenPalace.com Space Program Powered by the da Vinci Project
continues to make headway!
After sending congratulatory messages
to Burt Rutan’s X-Prize winning team, the Golden Palace.com da
Vinci crew got right back to work, continuing to make progress on
the Wild Fire Mk VI engine and flight components. “We were happy
to see Burt’s successful flights. He almost made it look easy,”
said Brian Feeney, project leader for the development team. “But
that’s just the beginning of the game. We are continuing our
effort to successfully launch our spacecraft under the auspices of
the X PRIZE Foundation. And, we continue to wish all the best of
luck to the other competitors who have remained in the New Race to
Space as well.”
Brian explained the engine
development program is proceeding well with additional firing
tests to ensure proper ignition and stability of thrust. We have
a location in southern Ontario appropriately named “Test Hill” by
the locals. Air Liquide provided us with a 25 ton capacity Nitrous
Oxide storage tank for multiple full duration test firings. The
engine “tiger team” composed of internal resources and outside
industry experts is making great strides. Brian, and the entire
engine team, are very optimistic about their engines. Test
results, pictures and videos will be made available following the
completion of the engine qualification test program.
Other spacecraft components are in a
final phase of completion and integration. Subsystem testing has
been ongoing throughout the program. Ancillary equipment, such as
the transport and launch cradle, and the recovery tools are ready
for deployment. Communication and avionics are being optimized
during this final phase of the project prior to flight. Overall,
the excitement is building.
Organization aspects of ground
operations have been addressed by Dav1d Grossman, Team Leader,
GroundOps. Dav1d went to Kindersley and Saskatoon to meet with
emergency services personnel (Police, Fire, Ambulance), as well as
other local da Vinci Volunteers who will be providing ground
support equipment, crew members, and facilities for Mission
Control. These meetings were very successful. The people of
Kindersley are very eager to see their town become Canada’s
Spaceport.
As well, Brian has been speaking at
a number of prestigious events, including the SpaceVision2004
Conference at M.I.T. (see photo). At this conference, Brian
presented a brief historical narrative of the evolution of the
project, and the vision for the future.
Other speaking engagements included the closing
keynote address at
Canadian Undergraduate Physics Conference in
Victoria BC, the St. Louis
Science Center – X PRIZE event, keynote at the Conference
Board of Canada 2004 Technical Conference and a hometown
favorite, the University of Toronto, Astronomy Society.
Upcoming presentation by Brian will include the closing keynote
address at the Canadian Student
Summit on Space 2005.
There have also been a number of
local speaking engagements in Toronto by other da Vinci team
members. Of particular note is the seminar series designed for
the Public School Grade 6 “Aviation and Flight” Unit. This
seminar includes technical details appropriate to the class
curriculum, as well as some fun questions and answers, and a
“hands-on” portion with some materials taken from the fabrication
shop floor. (For more information on scheduling a seminar for
your school, contact Dav1d Grossman at
dav1d@davinciproject.com)
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Canadian
Government Approves Launch
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Canadian Ansari X
PRIZE Team Receives Government Approval to launch into Space
TORONTO October 1,
2004: –The Golden Palace.com Space Program Powered by the da Vinci
Project announced today that it has received full authorization
approval from the Canadian government to launch its manned flights
to space.
“It’s a major
milestone in the project”, says Brian Feeney, Team Leader and pilot
of the teams Wild Fire MKVI spacecraft. “I’m incredibly proud of the
entire team who contributed to this very large task. It demonstrates
the team’s depth of experience and drive to achieve our goal of
putting a man into space through a privately funded program.”
The Golden
Palace.com Space Program Powered by the da Vinci Project is a
leading contender for the Ansari X PRIZE and is only the 2nd
team in the competition to receive government approval.
“This is a major
step toward our upcoming flights. Our team and Canada is on the
forefront of putting the 2nd private manned spacecraft in
the world into space”, said Brian Feeney.
The manned launch
approval is for planned flights to space that will be conducted from
Kindersley, Saskatchewan.
About The Golden
Palace.com Space Program Powered by the da Vinci Project
(www.davinciproject.com)
The Golden
Palace.com Space Program Powered by the da Vinci Project's aim of
capturing the Ansari X PRIZE, the international "New Race to Space(R)"
is backed by a core of volunteers from many walks of life and
disciplines. Aerospace engineers, experts in project management and
finance contribute their time and expertise towards the realization
of the next step in Human discovery. The Project's novel rocket
design will be launched from the world's largest reusable helium
balloon at an altitude of 80,000 feet (24,400 meters). To learn
more, visit www.davinciproject.com.
About the
ANSARI X PRIZE Competition
In order to win the
ANSARI X PRIZE, teams must build a safe/reusable space vehicle able
to carry one pilot and the weight equivalent of two passengers 100km
(62 miles) into sub-orbital space. The vehicle must be privately
financed and safely launched twice within a two-week period. The
first registered ANSARI X PRIZE team to complete this feat will win
the $10 million prize and spectacular trophy.
About the X
PRIZE Foundation
(www.xprize.org)
The X PRIZE Foundation is a not-for-profit educational organization,
with headquarters in St. Louis, Missouri. The Foundation’s ANSARI X
PRIZE Competition is supported by its Title Sponsor the Ansari
family and its Presenting Sponsor Champ Car World Series. The
Foundation is also supported by private donations from the St. Louis
Community through the New Spirit of St. Louis Organization. The
Foundation's mission is to educate the public about space travel,
create educational programming for students and space enthusiasts,
and provide incentives in the private sector to make space travel
frequent and affordable for the general public. Several additional
sponsorships for the ANSARI X PRIZE competition remain available to
corporations or individuals who wish to support the contest and
associate themselves with courage, determination, achievement,
space, speed, high performance and technology.
For more
information, please call:
da
Vinci Project Media Contacts:
Una
McAvoy
416-633-2975, umcavoy@davinciproject.com
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Temporary Hold on planned Launch to Space
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Toronto
September 23, 2004:
–The Golden Palace.com Space Program Powered by the da Vinci Project
announced that it has revised its October 2nd planned
flight to space in pursuit of the Ansari X PRIZE.
Contributing factors
to this revision were availability of a few key components and their
integration into the overall space flight program. The Project will
provide public notice of its intended flights as soon as practicable
under the auspices of the Ansari X PRIZE, notwithstanding the flight
plans of any other competitor.
“The flight
insurance for the 2 launches has been secured”, says Brian Feeney,
Project Leader. “We’re still a go for launch. We’ve made milestone
progress since the early August arrival of our title sponsor, Golden
Palace.com and we intend to prove that Canadians can and will put a
man into space”.
About The Golden
Palace.com Space Program Powered by the da Vinci Project
(www.davinciproject.com)
The Golden
Palace.com Space Program Powered by the da Vinci Project's aim of
capturing the Ansari X PRIZE, the international "New Race to Space(R)"
is backed by a core of volunteers from many walks of life and
disciplines. Aerospace engineers, experts in project management and
finance contribute their time and expertise towards the realization
of the next step in Human discovery. The Project's novel rocket
design will be launched from the world's largest reusable helium
balloon at an altitude of 80,000 feet (24,400 meters). To learn
more, visit www.davinciproject.com.
About the ANSARI
X PRIZE Competition
In order to win the
ANSARI X PRIZE, teams must build a safe/reusable space vehicle able
to carry one pilot and the weight equivalent of two passengers 100km
(62 miles) into sub-orbital space. The vehicle must be privately
financed and safely launched twice within a two-week period. The
first registered ANSARI X PRIZE team to complete this feat will win
the $10 million prize and spectacular trophy.
About the X
PRIZE Foundation
(www.xprize.org)
The X PRIZE Foundation is a not-for-profit educational organization,
with headquarters in St. Louis, Missouri. The Foundation’s ANSARI X
PRIZE Competition is supported by its Title Sponsor the Ansari
family and its Presenting Sponsor Champ Car World Series. The
Foundation is also supported by private donations from the St. Louis
Community through the New Spirit of St. Louis Organization. The
Foundation's mission is to educate the public about space travel,
create educational programming for students and space enthusiasts,
and provide incentives in the private sector to make space travel
frequent and affordable for the general public. Several additional
sponsorships for the ANSARI X PRIZE competition remain available to
corporations or individuals who wish to support the contest and
associate themselves with courage, determination, achievement,
space, speed, high performance and technology.
For more
information, please call:
da Vinci Project Media
Contacts:
Una McAvoy
416-633-2975,
umcavoy@davinciproject.com
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GoldenPalace.com Space Program Powered by the da
Vinci Project Conducts successful balloon, payload test flight.
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Sept
12th, 2004 -
The GoldenPalace.com Space Program powered by the da Vinci Project
conducted a successful test balloon launch to 40,000 ft in Colorado
on September 12. The scaled balloon with payload rose to its peak
designed altitude to test the stresses on the balloon, both at
launch point and float altitude. Convective temperatures are at
their lowest at around 40,000 ft. The flight was a total success
said Brian Feeney, team Leader of The Golden Palace.com SPACE
Program Powered by the da Vinci Project. The balloon was filled with
an excess of lift helium to provide additional ground launch stress
to the balloon envelope.
The FAA approved balloon flight used a 0.75 mil thick balloon
envelope as compared to the space flight balloon envelope which is
greater than 4.0 mils thick.
Termination of the flight occurred on schedule with parachute
recovery of the balloon, payload system. The balloon test launch was
part of a series of final tests in preparation for the teams October
2, 2004 Ansari X Prize competition first manned flight to space
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Golden Palace Online makes da Vinci Project ready to play for Ansari X PRIZE!
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Toronto,
Aug 5th, 2004 - 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'.
About The da Vinci Project
The da Vinci Project's aim of capturing the ANSARI X PRIZE, the international "New Race to Space®" is backed by a core of volunteers from many walks of life and disciplines. Aerospace engineers, experts in project management and finance contribute their time and expertise towards the realization of the next step in human discovery. The da Vinci Project's novel rocket design will be launched from the world's largest reusable helium balloon at an altitude of 80,000 feet (24,400 meters). To learn more, visit www.davinciproject.com.
About GoldenPalace.com
Founded in 1997, GoldenPalace.com provides high-quality online gaming with over 60 games in three languages. Legally licensed by the Kahnawake Gaming Commission, Mohawk Territory of Kahnawake, Canada, GoldenPalace.com has served millions of gamers and paid out even more millions of dollars since then, and continues to be one of the major players in the industry. Founder and CEO Richard Rowe, from Guernsey, UK, is focused on keeping his company at the forefront of the industry through innovative advertising strategies. Rowe intends Golden Palace to become the first casino in space.
About the ANSARI X PRIZE Competition
In order to win the ANSARI X PRIZE, teams must build a safe/reusable space vehicle able to carry one pilot and the weight equivalent of two passengers 100km (62 miles) into sub-orbital space. The vehicle must be privately financed and safely launched twice within a two-week period. The first registered ANSARI X PRIZE team to complete this feat will win the $10 million prize and spectacular trophy.
About the X PRIZE Foundation
The X PRIZE Foundation is a not-for-profit educational organization, with headquarters in St. Louis, Missouri. The Foundation's ANSARI X PRIZE Competition is supported by its Title Sponsor the Ansari family and Presenting Sponsor Champ Car World Series. The Foundation is also supported by private donations from the St. Louis Community through the New Spirit of St. Louis Organization. The Foundation's mission is to educate the public about space travel, create educational programming for students and space enthusiasts, and provide incentives in the private sector to make space travel frequent and affordable for the general public. Several additional sponsorships for the ANSARI X PRIZE competition remain available to corporations or individuals who wish to support the contest and associate themselves with courage, determination, achievement, space, speed, high performance and technology.
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Location of Canada's First Space Launch |
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Toronto,
Oct 28, 2003 - da Vinci Project
chooses kindersley as site of first independent Canadian Launch site:
www.kindersley.ca |
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Letters from Supporters |
Toronto,
Oct 03, 2003 - I've been following the X-Prize evolution and events as much as I have time for but I had yet to hear of you and your team! I just wanted to thank you for all who dream of opening space to the masses and to tell you how incredible and inventive your design and approach are. Your craft is a beautiful blend of simplicity and complexity that has me thinking that Scaled and Burt Rutan really do have a true contender. Again just wanted to drop you a quick of admiration and thanks, and, to implore you to forge ahead for all of us dreamers who are watching and waiting in hope for you all. Sincerely,
Adam SantNote:
This and other letters will be moved to another part of the site
soon.
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Autodesk Comes Aboard |
 Toronto,
June 29, 2003 - The da Vinci
project welcomes another new significant sponsor, Autodesk,
providing its state of the art INVENTOR CAD software tools to the
project.
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Saskatchewan Team |
Regina,
June 11, 2003 - The da Vinci
Project welcomes the Saskatchewan team.
Canadians hailing from Saskatchewan have been assets to the team
early on in the project. We thank them and look forward to their
valuable contributions as we move onward and upward.
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| Launch location announced! |
Regina, May 13, 2003
- Today Brian Feeney,
Team Leader of the da Vinci Project, announced at a Press conference
at the Saskatchewan Science Center in Regina that the project will
conduct its first manned space flight in Saskatchewan. Details and
timing of the first manned test launch to space will be announced
later in 2003.
Click here
for More.
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The Mathworks sponsors the da Vinci Project |
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 Toronto,
April 25, 2003 - The da Vinci Project welcomes another new sponsor, The
Mathworks, who will provide the project with leading edge MATLAB/Simulink
R13 tools for flight dynamics analysis and control. Matlab will be used for
both pre-flight analysis and for on-board flight controls.
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| Ramius Corporation
sponsors da Vinci Project through online community |
 Toronto,
April 07, 2003 -
The da Vinci Project welcomes
another new sponsor,
Ramius Corporation, providing Engineering and
Project Database Management services to the Project.
Ramius Corporation is an enterprise software company developing online
community systems as the basis for improved group collaboration and
knowledge management. Ramius
CommunityZero® facilitates information sharing
processes that offer greater control, reach, consistency, accuracy, and
ease-of-use. Using CommunityZero, enterprises enhance competitiveness,
communications, and customer service, while simultaneously reducing costs
and streamlining content management.
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| Waterloo Maple
announces sponsorship of da Vinci Project |
 Toronto,
April 06, 2003 -
Waterloo Maple Inc. announces its sponsorship of the da Vinci
Project. Waterloo Maple is providing advanced mathematical modeling software
tools to the project.
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