Dream Chaser – Spaceflight Now

Sierra Space’s Dream Chaser prepares for pre-launch journey to the Cape

May 14, 2024 Will Robinson-Smith

Many eyes are on both the payload and the rocket as the Department of Defense awaits its turn to launch missions with ULA’s Vulcan rocket.

News from the Press Site: New SpaceX spacesuits and China’s Chang’e 6 reaches orbit around the Moon

May 10, 2024 Will Robinson-Smith

In this week’s edition of News from the Press Site, Spaceflight Now’s Will Robinson-Smith is joined by Jeff Foust, senior writer at Space News, and Bill Harwood, space consultant for CBS News.

News from the Press Site: Eclipse preview, spacecraft testing and space junk hitting a Florida home

April 5, 2024 Will Robinson-Smith

Joining the live video podcast on Friday, April 5, are Emilee Speck, space journalist with FOX Weather, and Stephen Clark, space reporter with Ars Technica. The show begins at 4 p.m. EDT (2000 UTC) on the Spaceflight Now YouTube channel.

Sierra Space unveils fully integrated Dream Chaser spaceplane amid testing campaign

February 2, 2024 Will Robinson-Smith

The cargo transport vehicle is in the middle of shake table testing at NASA’s Armstrong Test Facility in Sandusky, Ohio. It will be the payload onboard United Launch Alliance’s second certification flight of the Vulcan rocket.

Dream Chaser structure arrives at factory for outfitting

October 17, 2019 Stephen Clark

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.

Sierra Nevada selects ULA’s Vulcan rocket to launch Dream Chaser missions

August 14, 2019 Stephen Clark

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 on cargo runs to the International Space Station beginning in 2021, becoming the first confirmed customer for ULA’s next-generation launcher.

Sierra Nevada’s Dream Chaser performs critical glide test flight

November 12, 2017 Stephen Clark

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 the craft’s handling qualities and guidance systems before future resupply missions to the International Space Station.

Dream Chaser completes aerial captive carry test flight

August 30, 2017 Stephen Clark

Sierra Nevada Corp. conducted a captive carry test flight of the Dream Chaser spaceplane Wednesday at NASA’s Armstrong Flight Research in California.

Sierra Nevada confirms ULA will launch first two Dream Chaser cargo missions

July 22, 2017 Stephen Clark

Sierra Nevada and United Launch Alliance have announced the most powerful version of the Atlas 5 rocket, with five strap-on boosters and a twin-engine upper stage, will send the first two Dream Chaser cargo missions to the International Space Station from Cape Canaveral in 2020 and 2021, a schedule that still must be confirmed by NASA.

Sierra Nevada to resume Dream Chaser flight tests

March 6, 2017 Stephen Clark

An atmospheric test model of Sierra Nevada’s Dream Chaser space plane is being readied for tow and landing tests at NASA’s Armstrong Flight Research Center in California this spring.