“Dream Chaser” space plane arrives at Kennedy Space Center; Its first flight is scheduled to take place in late 2024

On May 20, 2024 local time, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) announced the first Dream Chaser spaceplane developed by the American private space company Sierra Space, and announced that Tenacity had arrived at the Kennedy Space Center.[آخر تحديث: 21 مايو 2024، الساعة 14:00]

Developed by Sierra Space, which has a Commercial Resupply Service 2 (CRS-2) contract with NASA, the Dream Chaser is an unmanned, reusable spacecraft. It is equipped with wings like the space shuttle once operated by NASA, and will land on the runway upon its return to Earth. It is 30 feet (about 9 meters) long and can carry up to 3,500 pounds (about 1.5 tons) of cargo from the International Space Station (ISS) to Earth. The launch will take place using a United Launch Alliance (ULA) Vulcan rocket.

Additionally, the CRS-2-powered Dream Chaser will be launched with a 15-foot (about 4.5 meters) long cargo module called the “Shooting Star” attached to the back of the aircraft. In addition to carrying cargo internally, the Shooting Star can also carry three external unpressurized payloads. The Dream Chaser has a hauling capacity of 12,000 pounds (about 5.4 tons) including the Shooting Star, and it is said that with the return-disposable Shooting Star, 8,500 pounds (about 3.8 tons) of trash can be disposed of each time. . I am.

According to NASA, Tenacity is scheduled to make the first flight of the Dream Chaser spacecraft in late 2024. Tenacity was launched from the Cape Canaveral Space Station carrying 7,800 pounds (about 3.5 tons) of supplies, and after a technical demonstration of its maneuverability, the It was attached to it using the robotic arm of the International Space Station, and approximately 45 days later it was launched. It will launch from the International Space Station and return to Kennedy Space Center's Launch and Landing Facility (formerly the Shuttle Landing Facility). According to Sierra Space, there will be at least seven Dream Chaser resupply missions on CRS-2.

source

• NASA – NASA and Sierra Space deliver Dream Chaser to Florida to prepare for launch
• Space Sierra – Unmanned space cargo plane from Dream Chaser Tenacity

Text Editing/Editorial/Suray Department