Sierra Space's uncrewed cargo spaceplane, Dream Chaser Tenacity, has arrived at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, marking a significant milestone in NASA's efforts to expand commercial resupply in low Earth orbit. The spaceplane, along with its companion cargo module Shooting Star, underwent rigorous testing and arrived at Kennedy on May 18.

Dream Chaser Tenacity, transported from NASA's Neil Armstrong Test Facility in Ohio inside a climate-controlled container, will undergo final testing and prelaunch processing inside the Space Systems Processing Facility. The high bay of the SSPF will serve as the spaceplane's temporary home before its inaugural launch atop a United Launch Alliance (ULA) Vulcan rocket from the nearby Cape Canaveral Space Force Station.

Designed as a lifting body spacecraft measuring 30 feet long by 15 feet wide, Dream Chaser Tenacity possesses a unique winged design, enabling it to transport cargo to and from low Earth orbit and land on a runway, similar to NASA's space shuttle.

The upcoming launch will see Dream Chaser Tenacity ferrying an impressive payload of 7,800 pounds to the International Space Station (ISS). This cargo delivery mission is part of Sierra Space's plan to perform at least seven resupply missions to the ISS, with the potential for future missions lasting up to 75 days and delivering up to 11,500 pounds of cargo.

Notably, the partially reusable transportation system is equipped with the Shooting Star cargo module. This module, capable of carrying 7,000 pounds of cargo internally and featuring three unpressurized external payload mounts, provides an opportunity to dispose of up to 8,500 pounds of trash during reentry.

Once the Dream Chaser Tenacity reaches the ISS, it will undergo further testing to demonstrate its maneuverability, including attitude control, translational maneuvers, and abort capabilities. The spaceplane will be grappled by the space station's Canadarm2 robotic arm and docked to an Earth-facing port. After approximately 45 days at the ISS, Dream Chaser Tenacity will return to Earth and land at Kennedy Space Center's Launch and Landing Facility.

After landing, the spaceplane will be powered down, and the Sierra Space team will conduct necessary inspections, offload remaining NASA cargo, and begin preparations for its next mission.

Dream Chaser Tenacity is the first spaceplane in Sierra Space's planned fleet, dedicated to expanding commercial resupply services in low Earth orbit. The collaboration between NASA and Sierra Space aims to certify the vehicle system for future agency resupply missions and further strengthen commercial spaceflight operations.

For the latest updates on NASA's commercial resupply services, interested readers can visit the official NASA website.