Tag: Sierra Nevada
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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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First Dream Chaser Vehicle Ready for Final Testing
After years of work, Sierra Space’s first Dream Chaser reusable spaceplane is almost ready to fly. The vehicle’s next step is a trip to NASA’s Neil A. Armstrong Test Facility in Ohio ahead of its first launch at the Kennedy Space Center currently scheduled for no earlier than March 2024. NSF was invited as part…
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How Sierra Space Protects America’s Next Space Plane, Dream Chaser
Dream Chaser, the so-called “mini shuttle”, is set to bring back the capability of returning experiments and equipment from the International Space Station (ISS) through Earth’s atmosphere for an eventual runway landing. As much as the vehicle resembles NASA’s Space Transportation System, better known as the space shuttle, it’s actually based on a different NASA…
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Dream Chaser receives thermal protection system, on track for 2021 debut
The Sierra Nevada Corporation has announced its Louisville, Colorado production center has received the Thermal Protection System tiles for Tenacity, the first space-worthy Dream Chaser, and has started bonding them to the vehicle. This is another major milestone Tenacity has reached as she walks down the path to her first launch to the International Space…
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Dynetics, Sierra Nevada partnering on human-rated lunar lander proposal
Artist’s concept of the Dynetics proposal for a Human Landing System. Credit: Dynetics Dynetics, an Alabama-based company with broad experience as a supplier of aerospace components and systems, is seeking a major role in NASA’s Artemis moon program with a proposal for a human-rated lunar lander developed in partnership with Sierra Nevada Corp. and other…
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Dream Chaser structure arrives at factory for outfitting
The composite structure for Sierra Nevada’s first space-rated Dream Chaser spacecraft. Credit: Sierra Nevada Corp. The composite structure of Sierra Nevada Corp.’s first space-rated Dream Chaser space plane has arrived at the company’s Colorado factory for integration with computers, a heat shield and mechanical systems before launch to the International Space Station in late 2021.…
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Sierra Nevada selects ULA’s Vulcan rocket to launch Dream Chaser missions
The Vulcan Centaur rocket configured to launch Sierra Nevada’s Dream Chaser spaceplane will fly with a dual-engine Centaur upper stage and four strap-on solid rocket boosters. Credit: United Launch Alliance Sierra Nevada Corp. has booked at least six launches on United Launch Alliance’s new Vulcan Centaur rocket to carry Dream Chaser supply ships into orbit…
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Sierra Nevada’s Dream Chaser performs critical glide test flight
Sierra Nevada Corp.’s Dream Chaser test vehicle lands at Edwards Air Force Base, California, on Saturday after a successful glide test. Credit: NASA An atmospheric test article of Sierra Nevada Corp.’s Dream Chaser spaceship made a successful runway landing Saturday at Edwards Air Force Base in California after a glide test flight performed to verify…
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Sierra Nevada’s Dream Chaser performs critical glide test flight
Sierra Nevada Corp.’s Dream Chaser test vehicle lands at Edwards Air Force Base, California, on Saturday after a successful glide test. Credit: NASA An atmospheric test article of Sierra Nevada Corp.’s Dream Chaser spaceship made a successful runway landing Saturday at Edwards Air Force Base in California after a glide test flight performed to verify…
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Dream Chaser completes aerial captive carry test flight
Updated after test completion. Credit: Sierra Nevada Corp. Sierra Nevada Corp. conducted a captive carry test flight of the Dream Chaser spaceplane Wednesday at NASA’s Armstrong Flight Research in California. About one-quarter the length of a space shuttle orbiter, the Dream Chaser is being developed to ferry cargo to and from the International Space Station. After…