Canadian space flight dreams live on

[robertross]

Canadian space flight dreams live on
Former X Prize contender seeks venture capital for 2011 test flight

By Emily Chung, CBC News

A new, Canadian commercial spacecraft prototype could launch as soon as next year, a former contender for the Ansari X Prize hopes.

"We feel extremely confident that we can be airborne within 2011," said Brian Feeney of the new spacecraft project that grew out of the Toronto-based Da Vinci Project.

"Are we getting to space by the end of 2011? You can't say for absolute certainty until you're airborne and you're flight testing," he said Friday.

The Da Vinci Project and the London, Ont.-based Canadian Arrow were among the 26 teams from seven countries vying for the Ansari X Prize. The competition promised $10 million to the first private team to build and launch a spacecraft capable of carrying three people to 100 kilometres above the Earth's surface, twice within two weeks."



Read more: http://www.cbc.ca/technology/story/2010/11/12/spaceflight-x-prize-feeney-da-vinci.html#ixzz15AikHdWo

[Patchouli]

I wonder if they plan on using the Alchemy engine from the Canadian arrow.

[Downix]

I wonder if they plan on using the Alchemy engine from the Canadian arrow.

IIRC, the engine was complete.  I'd like to see them use it.

[bad_astra]

Canadian Arrow was the serious team. Da Vinci was Brian and his magic helmet.

[beancounter]

Canadian Arrow was the serious team. Da Vinci was Brian and his magic helmet.

Yeah Feeney was full of publicity but that was about all that ever came of his efforts.  Lots of promises.  Lots of vapourware.  Canadian Arrow actually had some working hardware.

[manboy]

Canadian space flight dreams live on
Former X Prize contender seeks venture capital for 2011 test flight

By Emily Chung, CBC News

A new, Canadian commercial spacecraft prototype could launch as soon as next year, a former contender for the Ansari X Prize hopes.

"We feel extremely confident that we can be airborne within 2011," said Brian Feeney of the new spacecraft project that grew out of the Toronto-based Da Vinci Project.

"Are we getting to space by the end of 2011? You can't say for absolute certainty until you're airborne and you're flight testing," he said Friday.

The Da Vinci Project and the London, Ont.-based Canadian Arrow were among the 26 teams from seven countries vying for the Ansari X Prize. The competition promised $10 million to the first private team to build and launch a spacecraft capable of carrying three people to 100 kilometres above the Earth's surface, twice within two weeks."



Read more: http://www.cbc.ca/technology/story/2010/11/12/spaceflight-x-prize-feeney-da-vinci.html#ixzz15AikHdWo

The whole thing seems to have little to no chance of happening. They have about one year to raise $2.5 million and build the the test vehicle.