Canadian Ansari X PRIZE Team Receives Government Approval to launch into Space

davinciproject.com: 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.

Transport Canada
OTTAWA – Transport Canada today approved the launch application from the Orva Space Group, also known as the da Vinci team, for a suborbital launch. The application is valid for two launches between October 2, 2004 and November 1, 2004.

The approval and launches are subject to a number of conditions, including:

Transport Canada has reviewed and approved the mission control documents and is satisfied that all the documentation, procedures and insurance are in order. Transport Canada is working with NAV CANADA for the issuance of Notice to Airmen, which is a set of instructions distributed to all pilots to impose restrictions and close the airspace around the launch area and flight path.