Sierra Nevada Corp Dream Chaser begins test flights for NASA

The Dream Chaser Space System (DCSS) spacecraft, being developed by US space company Sierra Nevada Corporation to carry cargo and astronauts, has begun its test flight program with a successful captive carry flight.

May 29 2012 saw the craft have its first captive carry flight that met all the pre-established flight test goals.

The Dream Chaser is being developed under NASA's Commercial Crew Development (CCDev) Program whereby commercial space businesses will transport astronauts to and from the International Space Station (ISS).

The test flight marked the 12th milestone under the CCDev Program. The development program will continue building up towards an autonomous Approach and Landing Test later in the summer, to be conducted at the Edwards Air Force Base.

Steve Lindsey, an astronaut who commnaded five Space Shuttle missions, was appointed by SNC in 2011 to run the Dream Chaser's flight operations.

Commenting on the captive carry flight Lindsey said: "The successful Captive Carry flight test of the Dream Chaser full scale flight vehicle marks the beginning of SNC's flight test program; a program that culminates in crewed missions to the International Space Station for NASA."

The Dream Chaser is a reusable spacecraft that launches vertically and lands horizontally on a conventional runway.

The Dream Chaser is being designed to carry up to 7 astronauts, as well as cargo, into orbit, in particular to and from the International Space Station.

SNC are aiming for the Dream Chaser to be ready to enter operational service by 2016.
With the retirement of the Space Shuttle in 2011 NASA’s strategy is to use commercial businesses to service low-Earth orbit.


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