Sierra Space has completed a series of pre-flight tests on its Dream Chaser spaceplane at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida.
The testing campaign follows a change to its contract with NASA announced in September. The changes mean NASA is no longer obliged to order a specific number of resupply missions with Sierra Space.
NASA originally awarded Sierra Space a minimum of seven flights under the Commercial Resupply Services-2 (CRS-2) contract in 2016, and had issued task orders for four missions.
Testing milestones
The Tenacity Dream Chaser spaceplane underwent Electromagnetic Interference and Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMI/EMC) testing at NASA’s Space Systems Processing Facility (SSPF) at Kennedy. The tests verified the spacecraft’s ability to operate within expected electromagnetic environments throughout various missions.
The spaceplane also completed tow testing at Kennedy and Space Florida’s Launch and Landing Facility. For this test, a truck towed the vehicle at high speeds to simulate critical dynamics and validate autonomous navigational parameters during runway landing operations.
According to Sierra Space, during recent tests Dream Chaser has also demonstrated the ability to receive telemetry and distribute commands between the spacecraft and Mission Control in Louisville, Colorado over NASA’s Tracking and Data Relay Satellite System network. The testing has verified the spacecraft’s readiness for real-time command and control during flight operations.
The test campaign concluded with a post-landing recovery rehearsal, which demonstrated the safing of vehicle systems and timely access to sensitive payloads.
“Each milestone we achieve represents another step forward in ensuring Dream Chaser’s success as a versatile, reusable spacecraft,” said Fatih Ozmen, executive chair at Sierra Space.
Final tests and first flight
The company expects Dream Chaser to move to its final round of acoustic testing next month.
Following this, modifications for national security applications will be performed in Colorado, USA. The enhancements aim to expand Dream Chaser’s versatility and demonstrate its ability to fulfil different mission requirements, including defense ones.
“Development of new space transportation systems is difficult and can take longer than what’s originally planned,” said Dana Weigel, manager of NASA’s International Space Station (ISS) program. “The ability to perform a flight demonstration can be a key enabler in a spacecraft’s development and readiness, as well as offering greater flexibility for NASA and Sierra Space.”
Under the modified contract, Dream Chaser’s first launch is scheduled for the end of next year to low Earth orbit. The mission will conclude with a runway landing at Vandenberg Space Force Base in California.
The initial CRS 2 contract awarded to Sierra Space in 2016 by NASA included cargo resupply missions to the ISS. The agency does still have the option of ordering Dream Chaser resupply flights to the space station following a successful demonstration flight.
NASA and its commercial and international partners will continue to supply the ISS, with a planned deorbit for the space station planned for 2030.
