Tag: SNC
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Dream Chaser suffers landing gear failure after first flight
Sierra Nevada Corporation’s Dream Chaser ETA (Engineering Test Article) conducted her maiden flight at the Dryden Flight Research Center on Saturday. However, the Commercial Crew prospect – after enjoying a perfect flight in the air – suffered a mechanical failure during landing, resulting in her flipping over on the runway. Dream Chaser: As announced in…
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Dream Chaser preparing for drop test milestone
Sierra Nevada Corporation’s Dream Chaser ETA (Engineering Test Article) is just days away from its first free flight milestone. The NASA Commercial Crew Program (CCP) candidate is now in final preparations for its drop test that will result in her conducting an automated approach and landing at the Dryden Flight Research Center in California. Dream…
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Countdowns and Testing – Commercial Space steps up a gear
Several commercial space companies are in the midst of critical testing and launch preparations. While the increase in activity is aimed at successfully achieving differing mission objectives, the overall drive is one based on private companies becoming the new gate keepers of Low Earth Orbit (LEO), freeing NASA to set sail for deep space destinations.…
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NASA Outlines its Plans for Commercial Crew Certification
In a recent conference with its industry partners, NASA outlined the next phase of its strategy to enable the certification of commercial crew transportation systems to and from the International Space Station (ISS). The goal is to return domestic launch and transportation capability by the year 2017. Certification Strategy: Phase 1 of the certification…
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Qualification testing begins on Dream Chaser’s rocket motor
Sierra Nevada Corporation (SNC) have begun qualification testing on the hybrid rocket motor that will provide propulsion to their Dream Chaser vehicle in space. The initiation of testing is part of the company’s Commercial Crew Integrated Capability (CCiCap) milestones, as they continue to set their sights on transporting NASA astronauts to the ISS. Dream Chaser…
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Bolden meets Dream Chaser ETA ahead of her Dryden tests
NASA Administrator Charlie Bolden met with the Sierra Nevada Corporation (SNC) team and their Dream Chaser ETA (Engineering Test Article) at the Dryden Flight Research Center in California on Wednesday. General Bolden, a Shuttle veteran, also got to fly the baby orbiter via the vehicle’s flight simulator. Dream Chaser at Dryden: The Dream Chaser ETA’s…
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McAlister Discusses Commercial Crew Certification
In a recent presentation to the human exploration and operations committee of the NASA Advisory Council (NAC), Phil McAlister, Director of the Commercial Spaceflight Development discussed the next steps that will be necessary for commercial crew providers to be certified to begin transportation of commercial crew to the International Space Station in 2017. Optional Milestones…
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Dream Chaser ETA heads to Dryden for drop tests
Sierra Nevada Corporation (SNC) have shipped their Dream Chaser ETA (Engineering Test Article) to the Dryden Flight Research Center in California. The vehicle will be prepared for a series of drop tests, a key Commercial Crew Integrated Capability (CCiCap) milestone. Dream Chaser’s road trip to California: SNC are one of the three companies who won…
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First powered flight success for SpaceShipTwo
Virgin Galactic’s SpaceShipTwo (SS2) finally conducted its debut powered flight on Monday, paving the way towards its space tourism aspirations. The historic milestone was conducted high over the Mojave desert, as the RocketMotorTwo engine roared into life, propelling the spacecraft to supersonic speeds. SS2: Virgin Galactic have been waiting to carry out the powered qualification…
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USCV-1: NASA planners slip first ISS commercial crew mission to late 2017
The first NASA crew to ride to the International Space Station on a commercial spacecraft may have to wait until at least the end of 2017, after NASA’s planning group realigned the US Crew Vehicle -1 (USCV-1) mission to a launch date of November 30, 2017. The new schedule includes the Russian Soyuz manifested as…