The project's objective was to develop a folded space drive, which the scientists working on the project affectionally called a "jump drive". Admiral Thadius Rutledge of the Starfleet Fourth Fleet was placed in charge of the project in 2381, shortly after the start of the Coalition War. In 2382, after the drive had been successful tested with inanimate objects and in simulations, he requisitioned the USS Horizon to begin field tests. ("Horizon")