Tag: Dream Chaser
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Sierra Space Raises $550 Million Series C at $8 Billion Valuation
U.S. aerospace company Sierra Space said it has raised $550 million in a Series C funding round led by LuminArx Capital, valuing the company at $8 billion. The company said the new funding will help increase production capacity and support expansion beyond its current satellite and spacecraft mission programs. “Sierra Space has sharpened its focus…
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Dream Chaser Completes Key Pre-Flight Tests Ahead of 2026 Orbital Debut
one: the spacecraft demonstrated real-time command and control through NASA’s Tracking and Data Relay Satellite System (TDRSS), successfully receiving telemetry and distributing commands between Mission Control in Louisville, Colorado, and the spacecraft. The company concluded the campaign with a post-landing recovery rehearsal, testing procedures for vehicle safing and rapid access to sensitive payloads immediately after…
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Dream Chaser proceeding, hits milestones despite uncertain future
Dream Chaser, the vehicle that has been likened to a miniature version of NASA’s space shuttle, continues to reach major milestones despite its uncertain future. Sierra Nevada, the company behind the currently uncrewed space plane, is planning for a launch to low Earth orbit in Q4 of 2026. In response to questions from NASASpaceflight.com, Sierra…
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Japan prepares new ISS cargo vehicle as trio of cargo spacecraft deliver new experiments and hardware
The International Space Station (ISS) recently welcomed three spacecraft that delivered much-needed cargo to support Expedition 73’s seven-member astronaut crew, ensuring the crew and Station are supplied with food, water, clothing, and equipment. Meanwhile, the crew continued with its usual collection of experiments and maintenance tasks. As the Progress, Cargo Dragon, and Cygnus spacecraft continue…
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Sierra Space’s Dream Chaser debut mission delayed again, no longer docking to station
Sierra Space’s Dream Chaser spaceplane (right) and its Shooting Star cargo module (left) seen inside a processing facility at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Image: Sierra Space The debut of Sierra Space’s cargo space plane Dream Chaser has delayed again and will no longer see a docking with the International Space Station. In a…
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NASA’s contract overhaul puts Dream Chaser’s ISS future in jeopardy
NASA has announced significant modifications to its contract with Sierra Space for the Dream Chaser spacecraft, effectively scrapping guaranteed resupply missions to the International Space Station (ISS) and downgrading its debut flight to a standalone orbital demonstration. This development raises serious questions about whether the long-awaited “baby shuttle” will ever fulfill its original promise of…
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NASA’s contract overhaul puts Dream Chaser’s ISS future in jeopardy
NASA has announced significant modifications to its contract with Sierra Space for the Dream Chaser spacecraft, effectively scrapping guaranteed resupply missions to the International Space Station (ISS) and downgrading its debut flight to a standalone orbital demonstration. This development raises serious questions about whether the long-awaited “baby shuttle” will ever fulfill its original promise of…
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Dream Chaser completes more pre-flight milestones
Testing continues ahead of the first flight of Dream Chaser. The so-called “mini shuttle” will be the first spacecraft to dock to the International Space Station (ISS) and then land back at the Launch and Landing Facility (LLF), formerly the Shuttle Landing Facility, since the retirement of the Space Shuttle program in 2011. Tenacity, the…
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ULA will launch its second Vulcan rocket without a real payload
The second flight of United Launch Alliance’s Vulcan rocket will take off in September with a dummy payload in place of Sierra Space’s Dream Chaser spaceplane, preserving a chance for ULA to begin launching US military satellites on the new rocket by the end of the year, officials announced Wednesday. Tory Bruno, ULA’s CEO, announced…
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Sierra Space’s Dream Chaser prepares for pre-launch journey to the Cape
Sierra Space’s Dream Chaser spaceplane shown inside a test chamber at NASA’s Neil Armstrong Test Facility in Sandusky, Ohio. Image: Sierra Space Sierra Space is getting one step closer to finally seeing its Dream Chaser spaceplane reach the launch pad. The spacecraft completed its environmental testing at NASA’s Neil Armstrong Test Facility in Sandusky, Ohio,…