Sierra Space Preparing For Launch

Sierra Space announced that its Dream Chaser spaceplane successfully completed the Joint Test 10B milestone in collaboration with NASA. The test demonstrated that Dream Chaser was able to power-on, air-cool, and exchange data with multiple powered payloads in the pressurized cabin.

The testing fulfills an important progression in moving toward a planned mission for Dream Chaser to resupply the International Space Station (ISS).

The successful completion of the test confirms that Dream Chaser will accommodate various payloads. This was done by demonstrating that the vehicle can provide power within a specific range of voltages and maintain the required environmental conditions for those payloads.

In addition, all vehicle and payload data were seen in both Sierra Space’s mission control room in Louisville, Colorado, as well as in the payload support control rooms at the NASA Marshall Spaceflight Center in Huntsville, Alabama.

Three payloads, candidates for flight on Dream Chaser’s first mission DCC-1, were evaluated during the testing:

•  Polar: A cryogenic system for preserving scientific samples aboard the ISS at temps between -95^oC to +10^oC
• Powered Ascent Utility Locker (PAUL): A facility built by Space Tango holding two biological experiments that require power during ascent
• NASA’s Single Stowage Locker: A standard stowage system carrying experiments and other payloads

Anne Currin, Director of Mission Management at Space Tango said, "Space Tango's recent integration testing with the Sierra Space Dream Chaser went well and all teams were very happy with the results. We appreciate the steps the Sierra Space team has taken to get both the vehicle and Space Tango ready for a successful flight. It's been exciting to see this come together as we count down to a maiden flight that is scheduled to increase access for payload delivery to the International Space Station."

FMI:  www.sierraspace.com/