{"id":23665,"date":"2025-11-13T21:54:50","date_gmt":"2025-11-13T13:54:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wp-productionenv-bjg9h2g2bgg5b8aa.southeastasia-01.azurewebsites.net\/news\/dream-chaser-proceeding-hits-milestones-despite-uncertain-future\/"},"modified":"2025-11-13T21:54:50","modified_gmt":"2025-11-13T13:54:50","slug":"dream-chaser-proceeding-hits-milestones-despite-uncertain-future","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/news\/dream-chaser-proceeding-hits-milestones-despite-uncertain-future\/","title":{"rendered":"Dream Chaser proceeding, hits milestones despite uncertain future"},"content":{"rendered":"

Dream Chaser, the vehicle that has been likened to a miniature version of NASA\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n

In response to questions from NASASpaceflight.com, Sierra Space says that everything continues to proceed for the first flight of Tenacity<\/em>, the company\u2019s cargo vehicle designed to launch atop a United Launch Alliance Vulcan rocket.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe have successfully completed key technical milestones in its development, including the finalization of the electrical system build, and Electromagnetic Interference (EMI) and Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMC) testing at Kennedy Space Center,\u201d the company said.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n

These tests were completed at the Space Systems Processing Facility (SSPF) at the Kennedy Space Center (KSC). This testing was seen in photos exclusively obtained by NSF.<\/p>\n

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Dream Chaser, along with its Shooting Star cargo module, seen at KSC ahead of EMI testing in a photo exclusively sent to NSF. (Credit: Sierra Space)<\/p>\n

In a press release, the company outlined more of the testing progress of Dream Chaser communications systems, actively testing the telemetry and distribution commands between the spacecraft and the company\u2019s mission control in Louisville, Colorado. This was tested using NASA\u2019s Tracking Data and Relay Satellite System, a set of satellites in orbit around the Earth used for low and medium Earth orbit communications.<\/p>\n

There have been many questions about the future of Dream Chaser. In 2008, Sierra Nevada Corporation (now Sierra Space) acquired the design and pitched it for NASA\u2019s Commercial Crew Development (CCDev) program, securing funding through phases 1 and 2, as well as the Commercial Crew integrated Capability (CCiCap) stage.<\/p>\n

Despite these early investments, Dream Chaser was ultimately passed over in 2014 when NASA selected SpaceX\u2019s Crew Dragon and Boeing\u2019s Starliner for crewed missions to the ISS. Sierra Nevada protested the decision with the U.S. Government Accountability Office but lost the appeal.<\/p>\n

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Dream Chaser berthed aft first to the ISS\u2019s U.S. segment. (Credit: Mack Crawford for NSF\/L2)<\/p>\n

The vehicle was selected as part of NASA\u2019s Commercial Resupply Services 2 (CRS 2) contract, which included SpaceX\u2019s Cargo Dragon and Northrop Grumman\u2019s Cygnus, to resupply the International Space Station (ISS). Sierra Space were given seven flights to the ISS, with the first scheduled for 2021 and later postponed multiple times.<\/p>\n

However, questions remained with crewed flights to the ISS set to end in 2030 followed shortly thereafter by the deorbiting of what will then be a 30+ year old station.<\/p>\n

Following a joint evaluation, NASA and Sierra Space mutually agreed to amend the CRS-2 contract removing the requirement of seven guaranteed flights, as well as changing Tenacity<\/em>\u2019s first flight to a free-flying orbital test away from the station.<\/p>\n

When asked by NSF about plans for the space vehicle beyond supplying the ISS, the company stated it is looking into other options.<\/p>\n

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Dream Chaser undergoes testing at NASA Glenn. Credit: Max Evans for NSF<\/p>\n

See Also<\/h4>\n
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  • Dream Chaser Forum<\/li>\n
  • L2 Dream Chaser<\/li>\n
  • Click here to Join L2<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

    \u201cWe are in active discussions with many stakeholders about the potential usage of the vehicle as a national asset and beyond,\u201d the company said. \u201cThe contract modification allows us to explore the spaceplane\u2019s unique capabilities to meet the needs of diverse mission profiles, including emerging and existential threats and national security priorities that align with our acceleration into the Defense Tech market.\u201d<\/p>\n

    The first flight will see the vehicle return for a landing on a runway at the Vandenberg Space Force Base in California, a variation of the originally discussed landings at the Launch and Landing Facility (LLF), formerly the Shuttle Landing Facility, at KSC.<\/p>\n

    Despite that, much of the ground testing has been going on at the LLF, including tow testing. This saw a Freightliner Cascadia truck tow Tenacity<\/em> at high speeds to \u201csimulate critical dynamics and validating autonomous navigational parameters during runway landing operations,\u201d Sierra Space noted in its press release.<\/p>\n

    The teams also simulated safing the vehicle as they would after a landing and removing time-sensitive payloads.<\/p>\n

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    Dream Chaser seen during tow testing at the Launch and Landing Facility at NASA\u2019s Kennedy Space Center. (Credit: Sierra Space)<\/p>\n

    Despite reported issues with propulsion systems on the vehicle, Sierra Space tells NSF they have full trust in their thrusters.<\/p>\n

    \u201cSierra Space\u2019s innovative Tri-mode thrusters have completed an extensive qualification and acceptance test program at our Badger Propulsion Test Facility, located in North Freedom, Wisconsin,\u201d Sierra Space said. \u201cIn addition, our integrated propulsion system has passed stringent cleanliness, proof pressure, and non-destructive testing requirements.  Our final system check-out will include an on-vehicle integrated hot fire test.\u201d<\/p>\n

    A second Dream Chaser vehicle, Reverence<\/em>, was seen being built when NSF was granted access to the company\u2019s facilities in 2023. The company now says its future is questionable.<\/p>\n

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    A look at the shell of what will be Sierra Space\u2019s second Dream Chaser vehicle, Reverence, in 2023. (Credit: Trevor Sesnic for NSF)<\/p>\n

    \u201cDream Chaser Reverence production is on hold as our team focuses on Dream Chaser Tenacity\u2019s first mission and test flow would depend on any future customer requirements,\u201d Sierra Space said.<\/p>\n

    Still remaining for Tenacity<\/em> will be a hot-fire test, integrated hardware\/software testing, as well as its final round of acoustic testing, the latter of which is scheduled for December 2025.<\/p>\n

    The team feels they are prepared for the updated free-flight and are confident in their teams and vehicle.<\/p>\n

    \u201cOur test flight control team has been exercising all phases of the Dream Chaser mission for a few years, including the free-flight portions,\u201d Sierra Space said. \u201cWith the change in mission profile, we are refining our flight plan and updating our simulation plans to be consistent. With our extensive simulation exercises there are very few changes necessary. We can simulate without the rendezvous and proximity operations (RPO) phase.\u201d<\/p>\n

    (Lead image: Dream Chaser is prepared for its Electromagnetic Interference testing at NASA\u2019s Kennedy Space Center in a photo sent exclusively to NASAspaceflight.com. (Credit: Sierra Space)<\/em><\/p>\n

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