Report Presented At ERAU In Daytona Beach Wednesday

Sierra Nevada Corporation's (SNC) Space Systems and partner organization RS&H, Inc., presented findings regarding the challenges and opportunities of landing the Dream Chaser reusable spacecraft at public-use airports during the Space Traffic Management Conference at the Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University (ERAU) Daytona Beach, Florida, campus Wednesday.

The Dream Chaser is a unique lifting-body commercial orbital vehicle designed for crewed or uncrewed missions in low-Earth orbit (LEO) that is capable of a runway landing nearly anywhere in the world. The SNC and RS&H, Inc. team has been analyzing the applicable standards and unique requirements that must be addressed to receive approval for Dream Chaser to land either at a spaceport or commercial airport.

Wednesday's presentation summarized the capabilities of the Dream Chaser spacecraft and described present efforts to land at commercial airports with minimal impact to existing operations. Presenters discussed next-steps including how SNC plans to ensure that the Dream Chaser meets safety and environmental requirements, as well as operates within, or exceeds, existing and future procedures and policies.

SNC’s Dream Chaser is a multi-mission space utility vehicle. It is the only reusable, lifting-body spacecraft with commercial runway landing capability, all non-toxic propellants, no unique landing or navigation aids and responsive mission, ground, and transportation operations. The space system is on the forefront of the commercial spaceflight industry, offering safe, affordable, and reliable crew and cargo transportation to LEO space destinations.

(Image provided by Sierra Nevada Corp)

FMI: www.sncorp.com