The Sierra Space Dream Chaser spaceplane is nearing completion at its factory in Louisville, Colorado. The spacecraft’s wings and fuselage are now equipped with custom ceramic tiles for protection during atmospheric reentry. The landing gear is in place, and technicians are making final adjustments before it is transported to a NASA facility in Ohio for testing.
Inside the spacecraft, workers are installing the last ducts for the environmental control system, which will ensure a habitable environment for astronauts at the International Space Station. Initially, the Dream Chaser will be responsible for transporting cargo to and from the space station.
Sierra Space has also set up a mission control room and a mock-up for astronaut training. The company, a subsidiary of Sierra Nevada Corp., is making significant progress in the spaceplane industry, as most companies prioritize capsule-shaped spacecraft or unconventional designs.
The Dream Chaser will offer a gentle ride back to Earth at no more than 1.5 Gs, making it ideal for transporting delicate cargo. It will land on a runway instead of plunging into the ocean, providing a more controlled and convenient landing.
The spaceplane is about a quarter of the size of the space shuttle orbiter and can carry up to 12,000 pounds of cargo to the space station. It features a non-reusable cargo module called “Shooting Star,” which will be detached and burned up in the atmosphere after each mission.
The next step for the Dream Chaser is testing at NASA’s Neil Armstrong Test Facility, where it will undergo various assessments, including vibration, acoustic, and thermal tests. If successful, it will then be shipped to NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida.
Although the first flight to the space station is scheduled for April, there are potential delays as the spacecraft relies on the second flight of United Launch Alliance’s Vulcan rocket, which has yet to undergo its inaugural test flight. Additionally, the availability of a port at the space station is another variable.
Sierra Space is currently in Phase 3 of NASA’s safety review process, and once it receives approval, the spacecraft will approach the station tail-first from below. The Canadian robotic arm will then grapple and dock it.
The Dream Chaser’s journey to becoming a fully operational spaceplane presents challenges, but Sierra Space is confident in its design and is closing in on its launch date.
