The da Vinci Project was a privately funded, volunteer-staffed attempt to launch a reusable manned suborbital spacecraft. It was formed in 1996 specifically to be a contender for the Ansari X PRIZE for the first non-governmental reusable manned spacecraft. The project was based in Toronto, Ontario, Canada and led by Brian Feeney.
The original da Vinci Project is no longer operating. A documentary was filmed throughout much of the project's life from 2000 through post-XPRIZE roundup footage in 2008. The documentary accumulated some 1000 hours or so of footage. It was a private undertaking by Michel Jones of Riverstone Productions, Toronto, and as of early 2009 was still in a preliminary stage of editing and completion.
The project last participated in the X PRIZE Cup 2005, displaying a mock-up of its Wild Fire MK Vl spacecraft.
Read more about Da Vinci Project: Spacecraft Design, History and Status
Famous quotes containing the words vinci and/or project:
“Life well spent is long.”
—Leonardo Da Vinci (14521519)
“She cannot love,
Nor take no shape nor project of affection,
She is so self-endeared.”
—William Shakespeare (15641616)