Sierra Nevada names Dream Chaser cargo module, updates CRS2 progress

[Chris Bergin]

Article for Shooting Star and Dream Chaser update - by Chris Gebhardt:

https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2019/11/snc-names-dream-chaser-cargo-module-updates-crs2-progress/


https://twitter.com/NASASpaceflight/status/1196899887016751105

[ejb749]

Could Dream Chaser re-enter after a cislunar mission?

[whitelancer64]

Could Dream Chaser re-enter after a cislunar mission?

I don't know the details of the DC heatshield design, but almost certainly not, at least not without a much thicker heatshield.

The Shuttle couldn't come back from much higher than the Hubble.

[TripleSeven]

Kudos on a fine article and congratulations to the SNC crowd for solid progress

this is I think going to be an amazing vehicle...with the crewed version becoming one of the premier space station resupply and recrew vehicles.

[docmordrid]

Could Dream Chaser re-enter after a cislunar mission?

I don't know the details of the DC heatshield design, but almost certainly not, at least not without a much thicker heatshield.
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TUFROC

https://www.prweb.com/releases/2015/06/prweb12816593.htm

[Steven Pietrobon]

TUFROC

https://www.prweb.com/releases/2015/06/prweb12816593.htm

Seems to have the same performance as Space Shuttle tiles, which would not be sufficient for a Lunar return.

"SNC’s assessments show that these new coatings offer the same thermal protection as previously flown tile coatings, but at a greatly reduced cost."

[GWH]

The article and announcement seem a little confusing.  I had to read it twice to be clear that for Gateway cargo it isn't "Dreamchaser" delivering cargo but instead this "shooting star" cargo module.

And then for the UN mission I don't get how Soyuz could possibly be viable? Isn't the payload fairing far too short and also too narrow?  Lift capacity of a Soyuz seems way too low. The Dreamchaser needs a Vulcan 542 to get to LEO after all...

[Steven Pietrobon]

And then for the UN mission I don't get how Soyuz could possibly be viable? Isn't the payload fairing far too short and also too narrow?  Lift capacity of a Soyuz seems way too low. The Dreamchaser needs a Vulcan 542 to get to LEO after all...

Maybe they meant Soyuz-5?

http://www.russianspaceweb.com/soyuz5.html

[GWH]

Maybe they meant Soyuz-5?

http://www.russianspaceweb.com/soyuz5.html

Maybe, though if they were to suggest a rocket that isn't yet operating I would think they would pick Angara. Soyuz 5 seems to get redesigned annually*

*ironic advertising on the website with Soyuz 5 was just a headline "future proof your brand" 

[Rocket Science]

Thanks Chris, always great to get a DC update!

[libra]

Shooting star ? cool name, with heavy historical significance to aeronautics (although Lockheed might not be happy)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lockheed_P-80_Shooting_Star



First operational U.S jet fighter, with a terrific legacy - T-33, F-94 and nearly 10 000 build.

[Zed_Noir]

<snip>
First operational U.S jet fighter, with a terrific legacy - T-33, F-94 and nearly 10 000 build.

Second operational US jet fighter. The first was the under-performing Bell P-59 Airacomet, which first flown in 1942..

[FutureSpaceTourist]

NASA Kennedy
KSC-20191119-PH-FMX01_0164

A look at a testing mockup of Sierra Nevada Corporation’s Shooting Star cargo module in the Space Station Processing Facility high bay at Kennedy Space Center on Nov. 19, 2019. Shooting Star will attach to the back of the company’s Dream Chaser spacecraft. The cargo module will deliver more than 12,000 pounds of supplies and other cargo to the International Space Station for NASA as part of the Commercial Resupply Services-2 contract. NASA/Frank Michaux

https://www.flickr.com/photos/nasakennedy/49096002587/

[Patchouli]

Could Dream Chaser re-enter after a cislunar mission?

The shape suppsoedly is usable for lunar missions as it was looked into but I think the existing TPS is probably not up to the task.
I remember reading ablative TPS would have to be added to the hottest parts.

Kinda the same issue with taking Starliner BEO even though it is based on a shape that has gone to the moon the present TPS is optimized for LEO.

I don't know the details of the DC heatshield design, but almost certainly not, at least not without a much thicker heatshield.

The Shuttle couldn't come back from much higher than the Hubble.

Actually I think it was more a OMS delta V limitation vs the heat shield as the maximum altitude is 960 km though probably with no cargo.
But no it definitely can't do lunar returns and would breakup.
Maybe you could do an aerocapture to a lower orbit raise the perigee then wait for the TPS to cool off and then reenter but then it doesn't have the delta V to get into a high orbit in the first place.

[libra]

<snip>
First operational U.S jet fighter, with a terrific legacy - T-33, F-94 and nearly 10 000 build.

Second operational US jet fighter. The first was the under-performing Bell P-59 Airacomet, which first flown in 1942..

Nah, the P-59 was too bad, never saw operational service anywhere; just extensive testing.

[Rocket Science]

[daedalus1]

'In this manner, the UN Dream Chaser mission could launch on a Russian Soyuz or an Arianespace/European Space Agency Ariane 5/6 rocket or a Japanese lifter.'
From article.

Surely this is too heavy for a Soyuz launcher which has maximum lift capacity of 7500kg.

[Steven Pietrobon]

Surely this is too heavy for a Soyuz launcher which has maximum lift capacity of 7500kg.

Speculation was that they meant using Soyuz-5.

[CT Space Guy]

I wasn't aware that the Dragon "crashed into the ocean"?