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 today.
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.
Today’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.
About Sierra Nevada Corporation
Sierra Nevada Corporation’s Space Systems business area based in Louisville, Colorado, designs and manufactures advanced spacecraft, space vehicles, rocket motors and spacecraft subsystems and components for the U.S. Government, commercial customers, as well as for the international market. SNC’s Space Systems has more than 25 years of space heritage and has participated in over 400 successful space missions through the delivery of over 4,000 systems, subsystems and components. During its history, SNC’s Space Systems has concluded over 70 programs for NASA and over 50 other clients. For more information about SNC’s Space Systems visit www.sncspace.com and follow us at Facebook.com/SNCSpaceSystems and Twitter @SNCspacesystems.
