This a picture of the prototype, partially assembled. The vehicle is a liquid-oxygen/kerosene fuelled rocked, which is launched at height, from a balloon. An innovative re-entry brake, known as a "ballute" is employed, as well as parachutes.

On August 5th 2004, the Da Vinci project announced their readiness, to the X-Prize Foundation, to attempt a flight into space with their vehicle Wild Fire, piloted by Brian Feeney. This has been made possible by an alliance with Golden Casino.com, which removed a remaining financial obstacle of some $500,000. The launch date is set for 2nd October, and will be carried out from Kindersley, in the Saskatchewan province of Canada. Wild Fire will be carried aloft by a giant helium-filled balloon to a height of 80,000 feet (24.4km), when the engines will be ignited. Brian Feeney expects to reach a height of 110km, and will experience a few minutes of weightless, before dropping to Earth. Wild Fire's descent will be slowed by the "ballute", with the final stages of the descent using a conventional parachute.

The Da Vinci team had tested, by Sept. 12th 2004, the balloon launch system at an altitude of 40,000. All went well and the balloon was safely recovered. According to information published on the Da Vinci site, the balloon was not precisely the same as that needed for an actual flight of the rocket ship, as the material thickness was much less. The reason for this was not explained.

A programmed attempt on the X-Prize for 2nd October 2004 was called off, due to late delivery of components. The launch had not been scrubbed indefinitely, however.

To go to the Da Vinci Project website, click the logo, below.