Dream Chaser Spaceplane Passes Critical Tests, Nears First ISS Mission

[{"selector":"#anim-56f40d8d-5cd4-47ec-ab97-65f6ff33b68a","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":800,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-060f2205-5232-42c1-8f98-d000ce790d7e","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-2899cf70-5cb1-49fc-acd7-dcadf56b093c","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, -114.73189%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-fc4a88e1-6f25-4049-9d45-11cb48d85b7a","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":250,"duration":1300,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-7bd11d30-37af-45bd-a537-fdf005dab2c6","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-115.18988%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":250,"duration":1300,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Dream Chaser successfully completes environmental testing, moving closer to ISS mission readiness. Photo Source: SIERRA Space

[{"selector":"#anim-ef79cedd-6f68-48e4-be7c-f89858354a39","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":800,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-f56e822e-58b8-4a3d-ae62-04697ea17e84","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":100,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-e62f3188-01e7-442d-8c5e-71a59e841d58","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":1300,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-23557994-4efb-4d3f-a7da-e83fbdab17c2","keyframes":{"transform":["scale(0.3333333333333333)","scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":1300,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] Shock, vibration, and thermal vacuum tests were conducted to simulate the intense conditions of launch and re-entry. Photo Source: SIERRA Space

[{"selector":"#anim-df1030d2-e427-471f-b2b9-0ca964d90bc3","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":800,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-45d31bdb-c31d-4564-aa31-693bf3bc1874","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-cb278bfa-6f5a-4814-a472-f2de4082e2b8","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, -115.79259%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-302edd74-f6fb-48f6-b794-7e8a219a0e49","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":250,"duration":1300,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-e13dbe6f-825a-4205-bca0-56135c7a4e4d","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-115.18988%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":250,"duration":1300,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Dream Chaser will soon be transported to NASA's Kennedy Space Center for final integration and testing. Photo Source: SIERRA Space

[{"selector":"#anim-79cd5257-7c89-408e-a5d9-dda9e555f8e9","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":800,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-d699b81c-85b5-4287-ba75-b574a513b2cf","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":100,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-ba0784cc-696f-48a3-928f-c67e7a6cd13f","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":1300,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-8703c01e-eabf-4db7-a216-e6cfa9a25ca6","keyframes":{"transform":["scale(0.3333333333333333)","scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":1300,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] The spaceplane is scheduled to perform seven resupply missions to the ISS under NASA's CRS-2 contract. Photo Source: SIERRA Space

[{"selector":"#anim-9ae5cea4-3442-4097-8f3e-7e9b4024f284","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":800,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-22195c2a-1bf5-498d-9ec6-bb93ec1a098a","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-477df3fa-4da3-478a-88a4-20e6e9f971ee","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, -115.06926%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-3625d015-12e7-43e0-845c-ae464f2e3637","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":250,"duration":1300,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-3116ef48-5467-4684-9479-0c91ad07d3dd","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-115.18988%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":250,"duration":1300,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] The Shooting Star module not only complements Dream Chaser's cargo capacity but also disposes of up to 8,700 pounds of waste during atmospheric re-entry. Photo Source: SIERRA Space

[{"selector":"#anim-de28759f-685b-4a86-8feb-a7fdee327916","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":800,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-678e2491-2bbc-443d-a922-24b016ce7f7f","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":100,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-e5477266-4c58-4774-b342-a8f5e3a98d66","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":1300,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-c717cbdd-f898-4107-a826-39f5f14fe0dd","keyframes":{"transform":["scale(0.3333333333333333)","scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":1300,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] Dream Chaser is designed for reusability, capable of completing up to 15 missions or more. Photo Source: SIERRA Space

[{"selector":"#anim-25e5ada3-37d6-4e30-af9d-254c40cb43c0","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":800,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-84743d03-f256-46d6-b242-15aa24539060","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-77d7297a-6198-420d-b401-0138f1947360","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, -115.26345%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-4e4e8a8a-05a3-45a4-bd46-b936dd2afc96","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":250,"duration":1300,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-4c5b7aea-d9d2-4ea9-9f6a-f5cdbc30478d","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-115.18988%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":250,"duration":1300,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] The spaceplane’s unique design allows it to land on standard commercial runways worldwide, enhancing its versatility. Photo Source: SIERRA Space

[{"selector":"#anim-05696b86-a8dd-435f-90ac-3aff20213742","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":800,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-27947bba-c0e5-4fcb-a49a-bd2c65e9b5ba","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":100,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-d947a864-7056-4fa0-bd4c-2803e04637f5","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":1300,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-3fda1aa5-5dff-4c99-ba99-72bbb947af6a","keyframes":{"transform":["scale(0.3333333333333333)","scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":1300,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] Sierra Space is exploring global opportunities for Dream Chaser operations, including discussions with Japan for potential launches and landings. Photo Source: SIERRA Space

[{"selector":"#anim-a63b46f4-0efe-4ee6-8dcb-7d4ab46c8320","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":800,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-7083c97f-cc79-42e7-9d4d-e035fa710f8d","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-656ef627-f946-4b84-831b-6c066d5eabab","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, -115.26345%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-9471e94c-43e0-4169-b6b0-16102cb2d3d1","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":250,"duration":1300,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Experts emphasize the potential of Dream Chaser in advancing space research, including contributions to scientific discoveries made in weightless environments. Photo Source: SIERRA Space

[{"selector":"#anim-24d089d4-c4f3-43e2-8240-ef630bb43ce9","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":800,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-d11fa702-c6eb-4d26-9194-8d1cbfa02d63","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":100,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-63ac6222-9d89-49ed-88b3-6fccb377b23e","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":250,"duration":1300,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-a409039c-32e2-4a07-a136-3e861cfb0a07","keyframes":{"transform":["scale(0.3333333333333333)","scale(1)"]},"delay":250,"duration":1300,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] Dream Chaser's design draws inspiration from NASA’s earlier spaceplane concepts, such as the HL-20, adapted for modern space transportation needs. Photo Source: SIERRA Space

[{"selector":"#anim-0b3222e8-6f11-4b4a-b508-293b2e4a6519","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":1000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-9d1b7c27-8e4a-48e1-937d-dca7eefeb9cd","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, -193.80693%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":1000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-fe1a010f-0aab-4f1d-906b-06e8b416e2d3","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":1000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-0bc411f9-8e9f-401b-a8b6-32466d0fcfb7","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(114.92064%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":1000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-cdb2c85a-11e3-4cd6-8900-5fe979cfc129","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":1000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-5d69b8a5-dcbf-42fb-a048-9edc7bbc1ad3","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-114.51104%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":1000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] The 28 MPH Ford Mustang and Bronco E-Bikes Are Here—But What Sets Them Apart from the Competition? Learn more

Dream Chaser Spaceplane Passes Critical Tests, Nears First ISS Mission

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