Sierra Nevada is planning additional glide tests in the fall. using its Dream Chaser engineering test vehicle.
The competition heats up: Sierra Nevada is planning additional glide tests in the fall. using its Dream Chaser engineering test vehicle.
This is the same test vehicle that crashed last October during its first glide test when one landing gear failed to deploy properly. The glide test itself was a success however, as the vehicle did a controlled unmanned glide perfectly to the runway, and the failed landing gear was one that the spacecraft will not use once completed.
Note also that these announced flight tests will occur after NASA eliminates one of the companies competing for the final crew ferrying contract to ISS. This suggests that Sierra Nevada plans to continue development of Dream Chaser, regardless of whether they get the contract or not.
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The competition heats up: Sierra Nevada is planning additional glide tests in the fall. using its Dream Chaser engineering test vehicle.
This is the same test vehicle that crashed last October during its first glide test when one landing gear failed to deploy properly. The glide test itself was a success however, as the vehicle did a controlled unmanned glide perfectly to the runway, and the failed landing gear was one that the spacecraft will not use once completed.
Note also that these announced flight tests will occur after NASA eliminates one of the companies competing for the final crew ferrying contract to ISS. This suggests that Sierra Nevada plans to continue development of Dream Chaser, regardless of whether they get the contract or not.
Readers!
Please consider supporting my work here at Behind the Black. Your support allows me the freedom and ability to analyze objectively the ongoing renaissance in space, as well as the cultural changes -- for good or ill -- that are happening across America. Fourteen years ago I wrote that SLS and Orion were a bad ideas, a waste of money, would be years behind schedule, and better replaced by commercial private enterprise. Only now does it appear that Washington might finally recognize this reality.
In 2020 when the world panicked over COVID I wrote that the panic was unnecessary, that the virus was apparently simply a variation of the flu, that masks were not simply pointless but if worn incorrectly were a health threat, that the lockdowns were a disaster and did nothing to stop the spread of COVID. Only in the past year have some of our so-called experts in the health field have begun to recognize these facts.
Your help allows me to do this kind of intelligent analysis. I take no advertising or sponsors, so my reporting isn't influenced by donations by established space or drug companies. Instead, I rely entirely on donations and subscriptions from my readers, which gives me the freedom to write what I think, unencumbered by outside influences.
You can support me either by giving a one-time contribution or a regular subscription. There are four ways of doing so:
1. Zelle: This is the only internet method that charges no fees. All you have to do is use the Zelle link at your internet bank and give my name and email address (zimmerman at nasw dot org). What you donate is what I get.
2. Patreon: Go to my website there and pick one of five monthly subscription amounts, or by making a one-time donation.
3. A Paypal Donation or subscription:
4. Donate by check, payable to Robert Zimmerman and mailed to
Behind The Black
c/o Robert Zimmerman
P.O.Box 1262
Cortaro, AZ 85652
You can also support me by buying one of my books, as noted in the boxes interspersed throughout the webpage or shown in the menu above.
“This suggests that Sierra Nevada plans to continue development of Dream Chaser, regardless of whether they get the contract or not.”
Aren’t they working deals with ESA or individual European countries?
If I recall correctly, there was a deal announced with Germany a few months back.
I wonder what the chances are that Boeing is the odd man out in the commercial crew deal. I could see NASA wanting a winged vehicle for a number of reasons regardless of the technical merits for such a vehicle versus a capsule.
To my knowledge, SNC has only made a deal with ESA to use their docking equipment. But there was some suggestion that it could allow the EU manned space access. Not sure if more manned access via someone elses ship.
The 3 bidders are all going at various tactics.
Boeing highest quality, highest cost, and a Orion like configuration. Boeing would be the safe choice, and choosing another Orion like configuration could suggest they are still convinced of the Orion configuration superiority. But if it looks to Orion like it could threaten support for Orion, and hence endanger the agencies future.
Dream Chaser significantly cheaper, and offering a lifting body runway landing and gentler G-loads, while still having a blue ribbon set of organizations on the team, and good quality ship on the highest quality launcher. The fact they have continued with the project on their own money without significant NASA support shows commitment. Its a very different craft then Orion and could be said to compliment it – but might be said to imply Orion’s shape isn’t the only obvious choice. Also NASA did not choose them in the last funding selection. No way to know if they are more confident in them now.
SpaceX is far lower cost (Dragon cost SpaceX only about twice the cost of Dream Chasers life support system??) and quality, inexperienced team, but lots of political and PR clout.
As to which of these could get a win, if any, is a real open question.
CST-100 graphics
http://up-ship.com/blog/?p=24234