Despite Uncertain Future, Dream Chaser Continues to Reach Milestones
The Dream Chaser, a vehicle often compared to a miniature version of NASA's space shuttle, continues to make significant strides despite its uncertain future. Sierra Nevada, the company behind this uncrewed space plane, is targeting a launch to low Earth orbit in the fourth quarter of 2026. In response to inquiries from NASASpaceflight.com, Sierra Space confirmed that preparations for the first flight of Tenacity, their cargo vehicle, are well underway.
The company has successfully completed crucial technical milestones, including the electrical system build and Electromagnetic Interference (EMI) and Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMC) testing at the Kennedy Space Center. These tests were conducted at the Space Systems Processing Facility (SSPF) and were captured in exclusive photos obtained by NSF.
Dream Chaser, along with its Shooting Star cargo module, was spotted at the Kennedy Space Center ahead of EMI testing, as seen in a photo exclusively shared with NSF by Sierra Space.
In a press release, Sierra Space provided further details on the testing progress of Dream Chaser's communication systems. They are actively testing telemetry and distribution commands between the spacecraft and their mission control in Louisville, Colorado. This testing utilizes NASA's Tracking Data and Relay Satellite System, a network of satellites in Earth's orbit for low and medium Earth orbit communications.
The future of Dream Chaser has been a topic of discussion. In 2008, Sierra Nevada Corporation (now Sierra Space) acquired the design and pitched it for NASA's Commercial Crew Development (CCDev) program, securing funding through phases 1 and 2, as well as the Commercial Crew integrated Capability (CCiCap) stage.
However, despite these initial investments, Dream Chaser was ultimately passed over in 2014 when NASA selected SpaceX's Crew Dragon and Boeing's Starliner for crewed missions to the ISS. Sierra Nevada protested the decision with the U.S. Government Accountability Office but lost the appeal.
Despite this setback, Dream Chaser was chosen as part of NASA's Commercial Resupply Services 2 (CRS 2) contract, which includes SpaceX's Cargo Dragon and Northrop Grumman's Cygnus, to resupply the International Space Station (ISS). Sierra Space was awarded seven flights to the ISS, with the first scheduled for 2021, although this date has been postponed multiple times.
The crewed flights to the ISS are set to conclude in 2030, followed shortly after by the deorbiting of a 30+ year-old station. After a joint evaluation, NASA and Sierra Space mutually agreed to amend the CRS-2 contract, removing the requirement for seven guaranteed flights and changing Tenacity's first flight to a free-flying orbital test away from the station.
When asked about the vehicle's future beyond ISS resupply, Sierra Space stated they are exploring other options. They are in active discussions with stakeholders about the potential usage of Dream Chaser as a national asset and beyond.
The contract modification allows them to investigate the spaceplane's unique capabilities to meet diverse mission profiles, including emerging and existential threats and national security priorities, aligning with their acceleration into the Defense Tech market.
The first flight will see the vehicle return for a runway landing at Vandenberg Space Force Base in California, a slight change from the originally discussed landings at the Launch and Landing Facility (LLF) at the Kennedy Space Center.
Ground testing, including tow testing, has been conducted at the LLF. A Freightliner Cascadia truck towed Tenacity at high speeds to simulate critical dynamics and validate autonomous navigational parameters during runway landing operations, as noted by Sierra Space.
The teams also simulated safing the vehicle post-landing and removing time-sensitive payloads.
Despite reported issues with propulsion systems, Sierra Space expresses full trust in their thrusters. Their innovative Tri-mode thrusters have completed an extensive qualification and acceptance test program at their Badger Propulsion Test Facility in North Freedom, Wisconsin.
Additionally, their integrated propulsion system has passed rigorous cleanliness, proof pressure, and non-destructive testing requirements. The final system check-out will include an on-vehicle integrated hot fire test.
A second Dream Chaser vehicle, Reverence, was under construction when NSF was granted access to Sierra Space's facilities in 2023. However, the company now questions its future.
The production of Reverence is on hold as the team focuses on Tenacity's first mission, and the test flow will depend on future customer requirements, according to Sierra Space.
Tenacity still needs to undergo a hot-fire test, integrated hardware/software testing, and its final acoustic testing, scheduled for December 2025.
The team is prepared for the updated free-flight and confident in their capabilities and the vehicle's performance.
