Rahul Somvanshi
Sierra Space has initiated final testing and launch preparations for its Dream Chaser spacecraft and Shooting Star cargo module at NASA's Kennedy Space Center, ahead of the inaugural mission to resupply the International Space Station (ISS).
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The Dream Chaser, a spaceplane, presents a promising alternative to capsule-based spacecraft like SpaceX Dragon, Boeing Starliner, and Northrop Grumman Cygnus.
With a design inspired by NASA's HL-20 from six decades ago, the Dream Chaser resembles an aircraft, measuring 30 feet in length and 15 feet in width, capable of carrying up to 11,500 pounds of cargo.
For its first mission, the Dream Chaser, named Tenacity, will transport approximately 7,800 pounds of cargo within the Shooting Star module.
The spacecraft is currently undergoing final assembly, system checks, environmental testing, and pre-launch processing at the Space Systems Processing Facility (SSPF) in Florida.
The Dream Chaser's thermal protection system is being installed to ensure it withstands the challenges of re-entry, while differential braking systems are being tested to guarantee a safe landing.
Sierra Space plans to commence regular operations from Kennedy Space Center by 2026, with All Points Logistics assisting in the reprocessing of the reusable spaceplane.
The Dream Chaser is scheduled to conduct seven missions to the ISS under a contract with NASA, with the potential to develop a crewed version if the missions are successful.
Sierra Space emphasizes that the Dream Chaser is the world's only commercial spaceplane with landing capability, highlighting its durability and reusability for at least 15 missions.
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