Dream Chaser, built by Sierra Space, will be moved to a NASA facility in Ohio. This plane has something to do with it. Dream Chaser holds the title of being the world’s first commercial space plane. Important tests for the space plane will be carried out in the NASA laboratory. NASA wants to make sure the plane can survive once it enters Earth’s warm atmosphere. Here are the details…
The world’s first commercial space plane, Dream Chaser, will complete its tests in the NASA laboratory!
In fact, the launch of these tests is an indication that Dream Chaser is preparing for flights. Additionally, thanks to these tests, the spacecraft took the first step towards potentially commercial space travel. This situation went down in history as a very important development for the space world.
Sierra Space has a contract with NASA. As part of the contract, the company aims to see its spaceplane fly to the International Space Station (ISS) in 2024. The world’s first commercial spaceplane is currently based at the company’s facility in Louisville, Colorado. It will soon travel approximately 60 miles to the Neil Armstrong Test Facility in Sandusky, Ohio.
“We’re pretty much done with everything. We’re finishing all the closing panels. We’re actually getting it ready for shipping. We’ve checked the landing gear. We’ll put everything back in, stack it, and then we’ll move it and get it out of here,” said Angie Wise, Sierra Space’s chief of safety. said.
The world’s first commercial spaceplane will remain at NASA’s Neil Armstrong Test Facility for one to three months. During this time, engineers will test the spacecraft’s ability to withstand the vibrations and acoustics of a rocket launch, as well as the extreme temperatures it will encounter during flight.
The spacecraft will be placed inside a giant thermal vacuum chamber. In June, Sierra Space will continue to test the Dream Chaser spaceplane. The company will then operate the spaceplane at the facility for the first time.
Dream Chaser will operate in low Earth orbit. It will also deliver cargo and passengers to stops such as the ISS after a smooth journey. When all tests are completed, the spacecraft will be launched from Earth on a rocket.
Sierra Space’s engineers designed the Dream Chaser with foldable wings that can be fully opened once the spacecraft is in flight, generating power via solar panels. Additionally, engineers equipped the spacecraft with plates that would act as heat shields to protect it from its high temperatures.