Sierra Space Dream Chaser UPDATE Thread (was SNC)

[BrightLight]

Dream Chaser ETA ships back to Edwards for flight testing ihn October 2016

from the article: http://www.spaceflightinsider.com/missions/commercial/reusable-dream-chaser-set-to-expand-reuse-of-shuttle-programs-facilities/#TB0sEYejpo3KELRI.99

"Curry: We’re about to fly the entry test article again here at the end of this year or the first quarter of next year [2015-2016]. It’s ready to ship, we’re going to ship the engineering test article back out to Edwards Air Force Base in October [2016]."

I think that quote originally referred to October 2015. If the quote implied they were trying to fly in Q4 2015 or Q1 2016 it would have needed to be out there by that timeframe.

That could be, the article was dated March 7, 2016 - do you have a source for the older quote, a comparison of the articles would be telling?

[rayleighscatter]

Dream Chaser ETA ships back to Edwards for flight testing ihn October 2016

from the article: http://www.spaceflightinsider.com/missions/commercial/reusable-dream-chaser-set-to-expand-reuse-of-shuttle-programs-facilities/#TB0sEYejpo3KELRI.99

"Curry: We’re about to fly the entry test article again here at the end of this year or the first quarter of next year [2015-2016]. It’s ready to ship, we’re going to ship the engineering test article back out to Edwards Air Force Base in October [2016]."

I think that quote originally referred to October 2015. If the quote implied they were trying to fly in Q4 2015 or Q1 2016 it would have needed to be out there by that timeframe.

That could be, the article was dated March 7, 2016 - do you have a source for the older quote, a comparison of the articles would be telling?

Just the same one you quoted that says they wanted to refly the test article in late 2015/early 2016. Can't refly in that period if it gets out there 6 months late.

[JAFO]

The good news is California is getting badly needed rain. The bad news is... How long will it take the lakebed to dry out? Even though they're targeting the runway, I'm sure they'd like to have a dry lakebed as a contingency.

[yg1968]

Panel with John Olson of SNC on March 30th at a National Academies meeting:

John Olson, SNC: 92% of Dream Chaser components are reusable; vehicle has a design life of at least 15 missions.

https://twitter.com/jeff_foust/status/715186636338933760

Olson notes Dream Chaser is launcher “agnostic”, shows it on Atlas 5, Ariane 5, Falcon Heavy, and future H-3.

https://twitter.com/jeff_foust/status/715187797976608768

Olson: while NASA is currently our anchor customer, we envision flying 3-4X of our revenue will come from non-NASA customers.

https://twitter.com/jeff_foust/status/715194715847655424

Olson: we don't have a billionaire benefactor looking to become a millionaire. But we are putting >$500M into vehicle development.

https://twitter.com/jeff_foust/status/715196323054686208

Olson: for Dream Chaser missions, launch and insurance 2 biggest costs. Prorated cost of vehicle itself will be much lower.

https://twitter.com/jeff_foust/status/715199495009607681

[Ronsmytheiii]

Report claiming Dream Chaser will land in Huntsville Alabama:

http://www.al.com/news/huntsville/index.ssf/2016/03/will_huntsville_be_a_spaceport.html

[yg1968]

Perhaps for non-NASA-missions. But NASA said that they wanted their samples in Florida at the CRS-2 press conference.

See also this recent interview with John Roth of SNC who confirms that the SLF will be the landing site for CRS2:

What are the plans for launch and landing sites? Will the Kennedy Space Center play a major role?

The contract right now for the cargo missions is based on launches out of Kennedy and landing at the shuttle landing site facility at Kennedy. Obviously we’d have an option—if they wanted—to discuss with us launching and landing from somewhere else but that’s our baseline concept in the CRS2 proposal. We have been working with a lot of different airports and spaceports both in the US and internationally who are interested in being able to land Dream Chaser at their facilities. We have had a number of discussions with those airports and spaceports. We have a few that are public like Houston and Alabama and a few others that we have been working with that have elected not to go public yet.

We are moving forward towards plans to look at eventual FAA licensing for landing Dream Chaser at other places than Kennedy. That right now is not part of our cargo contract.

http://observer.com/2016/02/nasas-new-space-shuttle-is-a-work-of-futuristic-art/

[Stan-1967]

I have to admit that Dream Chase looks to be the most exciting of all cargo or crew vehicles. I'll reconsider that when Dragon V2 starts doing powered landings.

I could not find information on the SNC website or ULA, but according to the video , it looks like they will use the Atlas V 552?   I saw two engines on the upper stage, large fairing, as well as the fairing being jettisoned before MECO. ( 48s into the clip)   Is the 552 configuration at the edge of its limits to lift Dream Chaser plus cargo?   Early jettison of the fairing makes sense, as Dream Chaser should be plenty robust for some minimal atmospheric loading during ascent.

I also wonder if Dream Chaser missions to ISS are now possible with just F9 FT vs. FH?   SNC does mention missions of Dream Chaser using FH, but that is somewhat dated to the crewed proposal.  F9 FT to LEO with Dream Chaser could be pretty low cost.

[yg1968]

This discussion should be moved to the DC discussion thread. But to answer your questions, SNC hasn't stated it officially but most think that it is indeed an Atlas V 552 in the video.

The fairing of the F9 might be too small for both DC and its trailer. Presumably, FH has an option for a taller fairing. There was a discussion on both of these points in the discussion thread.

[AnalogMan]

KSC-20160414-PH_SNC0001_0001 & 0002

Dava Newman, NASA's deputy administrator, fifth from the left, and William Gerstenmaier, associate administrator for NASA's Human Exploration and Operations Mission Directorate, second from right, toured the Sierra Nevada Corporation's Dream Chaser facility in Louisville, Colorado. SNC’s engineering test article of the Dream Chaser spacecraft is being assembled for a free-flight test later this year at NASA's Armstrong Flight Research Center in Edwards, California. The free-flight test is part of the company's developmental agreement with NASA's Commercial Crew Program.

Photo credit: Sierra Nevada Corporation

[yg1968]

I missed this when it came out. But this article clarifies and confirms what I said above that DC will land in Florida for CRS2 missions:

http://spaceksc.blogspot.ca/2016/04/dreamsville.html

On March 31, 2016 Sierra Nevada Corporation participated in a press briefing hosted by the Chamber of Commerce of Huntsville/Madison County regarding the feasibility of landing SNC’s Dream Chaser spacecraft at Huntsville International Airport. Following that briefing it was reported that Huntsville is the only community that SNC is considering to land its SNC’s Dream Chaser spacecraft. Huntsville International Airport was the first commercial airport to initiate a landing site study and licensing effort for Dream Chaser and SNC is currently working with the Huntsville community regarding potential future commercial missions. However, all NASA Commercial Resupply Services 2 contracted missions will land at the Shuttle Landing Facility at Kennedy Space Center.

The representative clarified that the CRS-2 contract gives NASA the option to specify the landing site. For now, all landings are planned for KSC.

[yg1968]

This part of the article from Satellite Today is interesting:

Regarding influences for future SNC satellites, Roth said the company’s acquisition of Orbital Technologies Corporation (Orbitec) in 2014 could influence new propulsion systems. One of Orbitec’s specialties is upper stage engines and in‐space propulsion systems. SNC acquired Orbitec because the company was heavily involved in the development of Dream Chaser, SNC’s multipurpose spacecraft that resembles a “mini‐Space Shuttle.” SNC employees from the company’s satellite side collaborate with and support employees working on Dream Chaser. Roth anticipates green propellant systems will gain popularity in coming years, as well as electric propulsion. He said SNC has designs for incorporating electric propulsion into Non‐Geostationary (NGSO) small satellites as well as the company’s small GEO product.

http://www.satellitetoday.com/technology/2016/03/30/sierra-nevada-corp-concentrating-more-on-defense-satellites/

[yg1968]

Interesting article on DC's guidance software. It also says that the landing test is now set for December of 2016:

https://www.bostonglobe.com/business/2016/04/28/draper-another-drive-into-space/ruYyV9cyo9lQT7ufBOQS5L/story.html

Dream Chaser can be launched atop a commercial space rocket. It’s designed for totally automated flight, with Draper’s software guiding it all the way. Draper already makes the guidance software for another space station resupply vessel, the unmanned Cygnus capsules. [...]

At Draper in Cambridge, a flight simulator is already running make-believe landings on a virtual runway. Tuohy said visitors who have tried to steer the simulated spacecraft have almost always crashed; the computer gets it right every time. [...]

The next Dream Chaser drop test is set for December. There’s still a vast amount of work ahead before the first space launch in 2019. And unlike other Draper space efforts, Dream Chaser is a commercial enterprise, and NASA only pays for performance.

[Antilope7724]

Planetary Society Podcast:

Dream Chaser: The Return of the Spaceplane
Air Date: May 10, 2016
Run Time: 28:50
http://www.planetary.org/multimedia/planetary-radio/show/2016/0509-mark-sirangelo-dream-chaser.html

[BrightLight]

From our friends at Parabolic Arc

Sierra Nevada Corporation

John Olson
Vice President of Space Exploration Systems

  . Inaugural Dream Chaser cargo flight to ISS scheduled for between October 2019 and April 2020
  . Two Dream Chasers to fly total of 30 times over 10 years
  . NASA has reserved a minimum of 6 flights under CRS-2 contract
  .  Commercial missions planned for 2020-2021 will carry experiments arranged by NanoRacks
  .  Initial flights on United Launch Alliance’s (ULA) Atlas V and later ULA’s successor Vulcan launch vehicle
  .  Dream Chaser could be launched on Japan’s H-3 and Europe’s Ariane 6 boosters
  .  Working with six airports and spaceports as locations to land

- See more at: http://www.parabolicarc.com/2016/06/03/nsrc-day-2-summary/#more-58577

[catdlr]

Space Station Live: Chasing a Dream

NASA Johnson

Published on Jun 22, 2016
NASA Commentator Lori Meggs speaks with John Olson, the vice president for space systems for Sierra Nevada Corp., to learn more about its “Dream Chaser.” The company is making its dream a reality in partnering with NASA to advance the development of a commercial crew and cargo transportation system. Sierra Nevada Corp., SpaceX and Orbital ATK were selected by NASA for cargo missions to fly between 2019 and 2024.

[Chris Bergin]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Sierra Nevada Corporation Completes First Dream Chaser® Cargo Service Milestone under NASA CRS2 Contract

SPARKS, Nev. (July 11, 2016) – Sierra Nevada Corporation (SNC) is pleased to announce the successful completion of ISS Integration Certification Milestone 1 for the Dream Chaser Cargo System under NASA’s Commercial Resupply Services 2 (CRS2) contract. Under this milestone, NASA approved SNC’s complete program implementation plan for the design, development, test and evaluation of the Dream Chaser Cargo System. This includes plans and processes for meeting technical performance and CRS2 integration schedules associated with execution of docking and berthing missions to the International Space Station (ISS). Details included supplier plans, integration schedules, organizational structure and status of program risks and risk mitigations. Under the CRS2 contract, Dream Chaser will provide a minimum of six cargo delivery services to and from the ISS between 2019 and 2024.

More Than a Milestone
“The accelerated completion of the first milestone under the CRS2 contract award marks significant progress for SNC and the Dream Chaser program”, said Mark N. Sirangelo, corporate vice president of SNC’s Space Systems business area. “We are thankful for the support we’ve received from NASA. The prompt completion of this essential program milestone is a big step in bringing us closer to returning a winged, runway-landing vehicle to space. This momentum will carry us with confidence in developing a reliable and affordable solution for ISS cargo delivery, return and disposal.”

In addition to SNC internal program integration, the milestone review covers the strategic plan for the involvement of external entities including international agreements and plans for obtaining necessary licenses from U.S. agencies, including the Federal Communications Commission and Federal Aviation Administration.

Flight Testing Continues
In parallel with the continued execution of CRS2 milestones, SNC plans to resume the next phase of flight testing for Dream Chaser later this year. This vehicle was originally developed and tested in partnership with NASA’s Commercial Crew Program through Space Act Agreements (SAA). It was previously flown at NASA’s Armstrong Flight Research Center and is being prepared for its second flight test through the SAA. It has been significantly upgraded in multiple areas to allow for testing to advance and verify critical systems which will also be used in the next generation vehicle currently under development for the forthcoming NASA ISS cargo resupply missions.

[Chris Bergin]

And an article:
https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2016/07/dream-chaser-next-flight-iss-crs2/

With a sprinkling of extra info and Nathan's amazing L2 renders

[Chris Bergin]

Sierra Nevada Corporation Passes Second Milestone – Dream Chaser® Spacecraft on Track to Supply Cargo to ISS

SPARKS, Nev. (June 25, 2016) – Sierra Nevada Corporation (SNC) has passed the second Integration Certification Milestone under NASA’s Commercial Resupply Services 2 (CRS-2) contract. NASA assessed and fully approved SNC’s detailed approach for getting the Dream Chaser Cargo System to the International Space Station (ISS). SNC’s approved strategy demonstrates a thorough understanding of design requirements and available resources on both a system and subsystem level.  Dream Chaser will provide a minimum of six cargo delivery missions to and from the ISS between 2019 and 2024.  The first milestone was passed several weeks ago and outlined technical, logistic and schedule procedures for the program.

“Successful completion of the second Integration Certification Milestone within six weeks of the first major milestone demonstrates that the Dream Chaser team is moving at full-speed to meet NASA’s cargo delivery needs,” said Steve Lindsey, senior director of programs for SNC’s Space Systems business area and Dream Chaser co-program manager. “We very much appreciate NASA’s help and support through this milestone and those to follow. Our collective SNC/NASA team is confident in our design and strategy for the future and look forward to completing the work necessary to bring our unique cargo services solution to the ISS as rapidly as possible.”

Milestone 2 Key Components
Completion of Milestone 2 means NASA and SNC collectively agree on the certification criteria used to confirm Dream Chaser designs meet CRS-2 mission requirements.  These qualification and verification plans will be utilized during future integrated design and test milestones to validate Dream Chaser Cargo System capabilities.

Dream Chaser Flight Tests Will Support CRS2 Progress
The current flight vehicle has been upgraded with several cargo system design components to support multiple test objectives - verifying the spacecraft’s performance during final approach and landing, directly supporting the CRS-2 Certification Plan approved during Milestone 2.  This will ultimately accelerate development of the first orbital mission and increase confidence through flight-tested systems. The vehicle was originally developed and tested in partnership with NASA’s Commercial Crew Program, which included a full-test campaign at NASA’s Armstrong Flight Research Center leading up to the October 2013 approach and landing test.

[yg1968]

Gerst: extended Space Act Agreement with Sierra Nevada Corp. through mid-2017 to support Dream Chaser landing test around Dec 2016.

https://twitter.com/jeff_foust/status/757578335505362944

[yg1968]

McAlister: SNC planning Dream Chaser approach and landing test in December, but agreement extended to June 2017 to give them margin.

https://twitter.com/jeff_foust/status/757949653442711552