Approves Flight Plan For Suborbital Testing

SpaceDev, Inc. tells ANN it recently completed its second milestone under its Space Act Agreement that was signed with NASA in June 2007. The significant milestone completed is the Flight Test Plan for the Dream Chaser space vehicle.

The plan provides a detailed approach for the Dream Chaser to conduct numerous suborbital flight tests, in preparation for its first orbital flight later this decade.

SpaceDev entered into the Space Act Agreement with NASA to facilitate its development of reliable, safe and affordable transportation of passengers and cargo to and from Earth orbit. As part of the agreement, NASA is providing support regarding ISS visiting vehicle requirements and processes, as well as ongoing quarterly milestone review meetings.

"The on schedule completion of our second milestone reaffirms our commitment to the development of the Dream Chaser and to the value of NASA's Space Act Agreement program. SpaceDev and NASA teams are continuing to work well together to advance the Dream Chaser launch vehicle," said Mark N. Sirangelo, SpaceDev's Chairman and CEO. "SpaceDev is excited about completing another significant technical milestone which enables us to forward our development schedule."

The SpaceDev Dream Chaser space vehicle is a derivative of the HL-20 Launch System developed by NASA Langley. The vehicle has on-board propulsion utilizing SpaceDev's patented and patent-pending hybrid motor technology. This unique space transportation system is designed to effectively, reliably and safely carry crew/passengers and cargo in both the suborbital and orbital flight regimes.

The SpaceDev Dream Chaser Space Vehicle can be adapted to various mission configurations including carrying all passengers; pressurized or unpressurized cargo or, various combinations of crew and pressurized cargo. It is a piloted space solution which launches vertically and lands horizontally on conventional runways.

FMI: www.spacedev.com