IMS_Blog

Just when we all though SpaceShipOne had it all wrapped up a new contender in the form of The da Vinci Project steps up in the race for the Ansari X-Price. The prize is a $10 million prize for the first team that

Launches a piloted, privately-funded spaceship, able to carry 3 people to 100 kilometers (62.5 miles)
Returns safely to Earth
Repeats the launch with the same ship within two weeks

SpaceShipOne has already become the first to get into space and announced a few weeks ago its intention to go for the X-Prize. Now one of their main competitors, having sorted out some funding issues, have announced that not only are they rapidly playing catch up but will go for the prize thenselves.

SpaceShipOne remains favourite—after all they have been up there already. da Vinci’s first flight is after SpaceShipOne’s but, significantly, before SpaceShipOne’s second flight. Should something go amiss between flights then da Vinci could just slip in on the rails.