Sierra Nevada Corporation Developing Dream Chaser Version for Stratolaunch

Sierra Nevada Corporation (SNC) has announced a design for an integrated system for human spaceflight that can be launched to low Earth orbit (LEO) using Stratolaunch System’s air launch architecture and a scale version of SNC’s Dream Chaser spacecraft.

The Dream Chaser is a reusable, lifting-body spacecraft capable of crewed or autonomous flight. Dream Chaser is the only lifting-body spacecraft capable of a runway landing, anywhere in the world. Stratolaunch Systems is a Paul G. Allen project dedicated to developing an air-launch system that will revolutionize space transportation by providing orbital access to space at lower costs, with greater safety and more flexibility.

As designed, the Dream Chaser-Stratolauncher human spaceflight system can carry a crew of three astronauts to LEO destinations. This versatile system can also be tailored for un-crewed space missions, including science missions, light cargo transportation or suborbital point-to-point transportation. The scaled crewed spacecraft design is based on SNC’s full-scale Dream Chaser vehicle which, for the past four years, has undergone development and flight tests as part of NASA’s Commercial Crew Program.

Chuck Beames, president, Vulcan Aerospace Corp and executive director for Stratolaunch Systems said, “Combining a scaled version of SNC’s Dream Chaser with the Stratolaunch air launch system could provide a highly responsive capability with the potential to reach a variety of LEO destinations and return astronauts or payloads to a U.S. runway within 24 hours.”

“This relationship would expand our portfolio to include the highly flexible Stratolaunch system for launching reusable crewed or uncrewed spacecraft, or for rapid satellite constellation deployment,” said Mark Sirangelo, corporate vice president of SNC’s Space Systems.

In addition to supporting development of human spaceflight capability, SNC studied satellite launch options and mechanisms, as well as point-to-point transportation options using the Stratolaunch launch system with a Dream Chaser spacecraft derivative. The Stratolaunch system is uniquely designed to allow for maximum operational flexibility and payload delivery from several possible operational sites, while minimizing mission constraints such as range availability and weather.

Share:

Facebook
Twitter
Pinterest
LinkedIn
Picture of National Space Society

National Space Society

Leave a Comment

Search
Categories
future 1

Don't Miss a Beat!

Be the first to know when new articles are posted!

Follow Us On Social Media

JOIN THE
GREATEST ADVENTURE

Give The Gift Of Space: Membership For Friends and Family

Book Review

Archives

ISDC 2025:
Together Beyond!

In Orlando at the Rosen Centre Hotel.
June 19 - 22, 2025

Recent Blog Posts

The fifth annual Martine Rothblatt Space Settlement in Our Lifetime business plan competition wrapped up in late June at the National Space Society’s International Space

The National Space Society invites you to the next Space Forum Thursday, June 12, 2024, 9:00 pm to 10:15 pm EST Behind the Lens: CapturingFive

Isaacman Will Be the Featured Speaker at Dinner Event on June 21 in Orlando, FL Private astronaut and philanthropist Jared Isaacman will speak at the

Category: Nonfiction Reviewed by: Susan Raizer Title: Into the Void: Adventures of the Spacewalkers Author: John Youskauskas and Melvin Croft Format: Hardcover/Kindle/Audiobook Pages: 392 Publisher:

The National Space Society has just released a Position Paper on the NASA 2026 Skinny Budget. Précis: NSS advocates increasing NASA’s budget rather than reducing

Category: Nonfiction Reviewed by: Douglas G. Adler Title: Amazing Worlds of Science Fiction and Science Fact Author: Keith Cooper Format: Hardcover/Kindle Pages: 224 Publisher: Reaktion

National Space Society Annual Event Will Be Held on June 19-22 in Orlando, FL The National Space Society is pleased to announce that former NASA

The National Space Society invites you to the next Space Forum Thursday, May 22, 2024, 9:00 pm to 10:15 pm EST Blue Ghost’s Moon Mission:

Your Doorway to New Worlds