Sierra Nevada Corporation Announces First Dream Chaser Flight Will Occur on November 1, 2016

Posted on January 24, 2014

Sierra Nevada Corporation (SNC) has announced that the first orbital Dream Chaser test flight will occur on November 1, 2016. Dream Chaser will be brought to orbit on a United Launch Alliance (ULA) Atlas V rocket that is being built in Decatur, Alabama. It will launch from Cape Canaveral, Florida.

SNC has been working with NASA's Commercial Crew Program to develop and configure Dream Chaser for International Space Station servicing. Space.com reports the first test flight will be unmanned. SNC's space plane is designed to carry astronauts as well as cargo to and from the International Space Station. Manned missions are expected to begin in 2017.

NASA Administrator Charles Bolden said in a statement, "Today's announcement is the latest major milestone in the transformation of the Kennedy Space Center into a 21st century launch complex, serving both private sector and government users. I salute Kennedy Space Center Director Bob Cabana for his leadership in transitioning the space coast for the future, and applaud Sierra Nevada Corporation on their decision to carry out their ground-breaking work at Kennedy."

SNC also announced Dream Chaser's intended use of NASA's Shuttle Landing Facility (SLF), an airport/spaceport located on Merritt Island in Brevard County, Fla. The SLF was used by NASA's Space Shuttle for landing until the program's end in 2011.

Here is a concept of operations video about the SNC Dream Chaser:

SPACE