Sierra Space's Dream Chaser Tenacity Arrives at NASA's Kennedy Space Center for Inaugural Space Station Flight

Sierra Space's uncrewed spaceplane, named Dream Chaser Tenacity, has arrived at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida as part of NASA's efforts to expand commercial resupply missions to the International Space Station. The spaceplane, accompanied by its companion Shooting Star cargo module, was transported inside a climate-controlled container from NASA's Neil Armstrong Test Facility in Sandusky, Ohio.

Prior to its arrival at Kennedy, the Dream Chaser spaceplane and cargo module underwent rigorous testing, including vibration testing and exposure to low ambient pressures and extreme temperatures, as part of the preparation for its upcoming inaugural launch. The tests were conducted at NASA's Neil Armstrong Test Facility.

Upon reaching Kennedy, Dream Chaser Tenacity was taken to the high bay of the Space Systems Processing Facility for final testing and prelaunch processing. The spaceplane is scheduled to lift off atop a ULA Vulcan rocket from Space Launch Complex-41 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station later this year.

Designed as a lifting body spaceplane, Dream Chaser Tenacity boasts a unique winged design, measuring 30 feet long by 15 feet wide. This design enables it to transport cargo to and from low Earth orbit and land on a runway, similar to NASA's retired space shuttles.

The spaceplane will carry approximately 7,800 pounds of cargo to the International Space Station during its first mission. It consists of a Shooting Star module, which can internally accommodate up to 7,000 pounds of cargo, as well as three unpressurized external payload mounts.

Dream Chaser is a partially reusable transportation system that will conduct at least seven cargo missions to the space station, as part of NASA's initiative to expand commercial resupply services in low Earth orbit. Future missions may last up to 75 days and deliver an increased cargo capacity of 11,500 pounds.

While the Dream Chaser itself is capable of returning up to 3,500 pounds of cargo to Earth, the Shooting Star module is designed to burn up during reentry, allowing for the disposal of up to 8,500 pounds of trash with each mission.

Dream Chaser Tenacity marks the beginning of a planned fleet of Sierra Space spaceplanes that will contribute to NASA's resupply missions. Once the spaceplane is in orbit, it will undergo further testing and demonstrations, including attitude control, translational maneuvers, and abort capabilities, to obtain certification for future agency missions.

Once Dream Chaser Tenacity approaches the space station, it will be captured by the Canadarm2 robotic arm and docked to an Earth-facing port. It will remain at the space station for approximately 45 days before being released and returning for a landing at Kennedy's Launch and Landing Facility.

After landing, Dream Chaser will undergo necessary inspections and offload any remaining NASA cargo. The Sierra Space team will then prepare the spaceplane for its next mission, as it plays a vital role in NASA's ongoing efforts to expand commercial resupply services and enhance operations in low Earth orbit.