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Sierra Space: Preparing the Dream Chaser Spaceplane for Launch
Sierra Space is currently in the final stages of preparing its Dream Chaser spaceplane for its inaugural mission. The winged resupply craft, destined for the International Space Station, is set to be transported to its launch site in Florida. The Dream Chaser will embark on its journey atop a United Launch Alliance Vulcan rocket, with the launch scheduled for the third or fourth quarter of this year.
Before the spaceplane is ready for liftoff, there are several key tasks that must be completed at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Two significant tests await the spacecraft at the launch site, and technicians are diligently working to finalize the Dream Chaser’s heat shield in preparation for its integration with the Vulcan launcher. While the exact duration of these activities remains uncertain, progress is being made towards the impending launch.
Environmental Testing and Preparation
The Dream Chaser has recently completed a series of environmental tests at NASA’s Neil Armstrong Test Facility in Ohio. Conducted in multiple phases, these tests were crucial in ensuring the spaceplane’s readiness for its upcoming mission. Engineers from Sierra Space collaborated with ULA to perform shock tests, evaluating the craft’s response to the separation from the rocket in orbit.
Following the shock tests, the Dream Chaser was mounted on the pressurized cargo module and subjected to simulated launch vibrations on a shaker table. Another shock test using the separation system that will detach the cargo module from the spaceplane pre-reentry was conducted. The final phase involved exposing the craft to the vacuum of space and extreme temperature fluctuations in a thermal vacuum chamber.
Sierra Space’s CEO, Tom Vice, expressed confidence in the successful completion of the rigorous testing, emphasizing the pivotal role of the partnership with NASA in preparing the Dream Chaser for operational missions this year. Vice highlighted the transition from intensive research and development to regular orbital operations as a significant milestone for Sierra Space.
Development and Future Missions
The Dream Chaser project has been in progress for over 15 years, with Sierra Space’s parent company, Sierra Nevada, spearheading its development. The commercial cargo contract awarded by NASA in 2016 paved the way for the current iteration of the spaceplane. Under this contract, Dream Chaser is set to undertake seven resupply missions to the ISS, marking the beginning of its operational phase.
Looking ahead, Sierra Space is committed to constructing a second reusable spaceplane to fulfill its obligations to NASA and explore opportunities in servicing future commercial space stations. With the imminent launch of the Dream Chaser, Sierra Space is on the brink of a transformative period in its journey towards seamlessly connecting space and Earth.
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