Dream Chaser underwent its first flight test today
The competition heats up: Sierra Nevada’s Dream Chaser mini-shuttle underwent its first flight test today in Colorado.
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The competition heats up: Sierra Nevada’s Dream Chaser mini-shuttle underwent its first flight test today in Colorado.
I must unfortunately ask you for your financial support because I do not depend on ads and rely entirely on the generosity of readers to keep Behind the Black running. You can either make a one time donation for whatever amount you wish, or you sign up for a monthly subscription ranging from $2 to $15 through Paypal or $3 to $50 through Patreon.
Your support will allow me to continue covering science and culture as I have for the past twenty years, independent and free from any outside influence.
Your support is even more essential to me because I not only keep this site free from advertisements, I do not use the corrupt social media companies like Google, Twitter, and Facebook to promote my work. I depend wholly on the direct support of my readers.
You can provide that support to Behind The Black with a contribution via Patreon or PayPal. To use Patreon, go to my website there and pick one of five monthly subscription amounts, or by making a one-time donation. For PayPal click one of the following buttons:
If Patreon or Paypal don't work for you, you can support Behind The Black directly by sending your donation by check, payable to Robert Zimmerman, to
Behind The Black
c/o Robert Zimmerman
P.O.Box 1262
Cortaro, AZ 85652
Or you can donate by using Zelle through your bank. You will need to give my name and email address (found at the bottom of the "About" page). The best part of this electronic option is that no fees will be deducted! What you donate will be what I receive.
Now we’re rolling.
Why couldn’t NASA do this 20 years ago?
It looks like one of the old Airforce/NASA lifting body aircraft they tested for years back before the shuttle was first flown.
I guess Steve Austin will be the first pilot. How he lands this one better.
A cheap small taxi/cargo truck style craft.
Launchable from small rockets already in use.
The references to the opening of the “Six Million Dollar Man” TV series are appropriate here. The real problem with lifting bodies is the low speed stability requirements for landing.
That is the reason they were not pursued after extensive testing in the 1960’s. I wish Sierra Nevada luck, but we will see how it all turns out.
IIRC it is a NASA design, much like the Bigellow habs. Maybe our advancements in computers and avionics have made it possible. Sort of like the flying wing.