The Canadian da Vinci Project team plans two 12h mission-simulations from 24 September in Toronto to prepare its X-Prize vehicle, pilot and mission-control team for its proposed 2 October first flight into space.
During the tests the Wildfire rocket, manned and on internal power and life support, will talk to mission control using the radio and satellite communications to be used on the spaceflight.
"Our simulation system is good to Mach 5 in real time. During the flight we get to M4," says project leader and Wildfire pilot Brian Feeney. The simulations will run through the 2h ascent by helium balloon to 78,700ft (24,000m) and the 30min suborbital flight. A flight test of the balloon was scheduled for 4 September, carrying a 180kg (400lb) mass to an altitude of 55,000-60,000ft. On the actual flight, once the balloon reaches 78,700ft, the rocket tethered 250m below will blast off in an attempt to reach 328,000ft with a pilot and payload equivalent to two passengers.
The team's first X-Prize launch attempt is set for 2 October from Kindersley in Saskatchewan, but Feeney's insurance broker has yet to secure the necessary cover.
Source: Flight International
