Space & Astronomy

Dream Chaser flight tests are set to resume

By T.K. Randall
March 7, 2017

Image: Dream Chaser
Credit: Ken Ulbrich / (PD) NASA The impressive vehicle, which looks a bit like a smaller version of NASA's space shuttles, was originally developed with manned spaceflight in mind but is now set to fly cargo runs to the International Space Station within the next few years.

A partially-constructed test version of the Dream Chaser spacecraft arrived at Edwards Air Force Base back in January and is currently being prepped to begin undergoing tests.

"We'll do a series of ground tests," said Mark Sirangelo, corporate vice president of Sierra Nevada's space systems division. "That will include towing the vehicle down the runway, and that allows us to see how it stops and how it moves, but it also allows us to test all the sensors on the vehicle because we can get it up to a high enough speed where that will happen."Once these tests have been completed, the spacecraft will be subjected to "captive carry" tests where it will be suspended from a helicopter to test its aerosurfaces and navigation instruments.

It will then attempt a series of landings after being dropped for approach from a heavy-duty carrier helicopter in much the same way as NASA's space shuttle Enterprise which was used for landing demonstrations back in the 1970s.

If all goes well, Dream Chaser could be carrying cargo up to the space station by 2019.


Source: Spaceflight Now

Tags: Dream Chaser