Tag: CCiCap
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Dream Chaser receives CCDev-2 green light from NASA
As had been expected, Sierra Nevada Corporation’s Dream Chaser ETA (Engineering Test Article) spacecraft successfully passed the final NASA Commercial Crew Development Round 2 (CCDev-2) milestone requirement, despite her tumble at the end of what was an impressive debut free flight in October. Dream Chaser Progress: One of the three main contenders to regain American independence…
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Dream Chaser ETA review promotes positives despite anomaly
Sierra Nevada Corporation’s Dream Chaser ETA (Engineering Test Article) may have successfully passed the key milestones of her approach-and-landing free-flight test on Saturday, despite taking a tumble on Edwards Air Force Base’s Runway 22L. Prior to the failure to deploy the left landing gear, the ETA enjoyed a flawless debut flight. Dream Chaser ETA Test Day…
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Dream Chaser suffers landing gear failure after first flight
Sierra Nevada Corporation’s Dream Chaser ETA (Engineering Test Article) conducted her maiden flight at the Dryden Flight Research Center on Saturday. However, the Commercial Crew prospect – after enjoying a perfect flight in the air – suffered a mechanical failure during landing, resulting in her flipping over on the runway. Dream Chaser: As announced in…
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SpaceX progress on Dragon abort test and Raptor engine
SpaceX provided another glimpse into their future ambitions by announcing they have completed a review of their 2014 abort test for their commercial crew program. The company also announced they would begin testing of their new Raptor engine – a key element of their Mars mission architecture – early next year at NASA’s Stennis Space…
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Dream Chaser preparing for drop test milestone
Sierra Nevada Corporation’s Dream Chaser ETA (Engineering Test Article) is just days away from its first free flight milestone. The NASA Commercial Crew Program (CCP) candidate is now in final preparations for its drop test that will result in her conducting an automated approach and landing at the Dryden Flight Research Center in California. Dream…
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SpaceX: From Bothering Bovines to Revolutionizing Rockets
SpaceX are continuing to make progress on several key projects as they head into a busy period of launches. With the debut launch of their Falcon 9 v1.1 rocket still on for September, an eye to the future for both their launch vehicles and spacecraft was highlighted over recent days, with the most spectacular event…
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Frustration grows as lawmakers continue to penny pinch commercial crew
NASA’s Commercial Crew Program – one of the Agency’s key near-term priorities – is once again battling against proposed funding cuts, following the House Appropriations Committee approval of their Commerce, Justice, Science FY 2014 Appropriations Bill. The report that accompanies the bill proposes a funding reduction and a change to Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR)-based contracts.…
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Qualification testing begins on Dream Chaser’s rocket motor
Sierra Nevada Corporation (SNC) have begun qualification testing on the hybrid rocket motor that will provide propulsion to their Dream Chaser vehicle in space. The initiation of testing is part of the company’s Commercial Crew Integrated Capability (CCiCap) milestones, as they continue to set their sights on transporting NASA astronauts to the ISS. Dream Chaser…
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Bolden meets Dream Chaser ETA ahead of her Dryden tests
NASA Administrator Charlie Bolden met with the Sierra Nevada Corporation (SNC) team and their Dream Chaser ETA (Engineering Test Article) at the Dryden Flight Research Center in California on Wednesday. General Bolden, a Shuttle veteran, also got to fly the baby orbiter via the vehicle’s flight simulator. Dream Chaser at Dryden: The Dream Chaser ETA’s…
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McAlister Discusses Commercial Crew Certification
In a recent presentation to the human exploration and operations committee of the NASA Advisory Council (NAC), Phil McAlister, Director of the Commercial Spaceflight Development discussed the next steps that will be necessary for commercial crew providers to be certified to begin transportation of commercial crew to the International Space Station in 2017. Optional Milestones…