SPACETIDE 2021 Spring: Annual Conference

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SPACETIDE works across industries paving the way to access new space business. The main conference, which has been held annually since 2015, has been an important platform where individual…

First Dream Chaser mission slips to 2022

Sierra Nevada Corporation (SNC) says the first flight of its Dream Chaser spacecraft to the International Space Station is now planned for 2022 after development delays caused by the pandemic.

Three companies studying “Orbital Outpost” space station concepts for Defense Department

Three companies have received study contracts from a Defense Department agency regarding concepts for small, uncrewed space stations in low Earth orbit, although none of the awards yet fund spacecraft construction.

SpaceX beat Gateway cargo contract competitors on price and performance

SpaceX won a NASA contract to deliver cargo to the lunar Gateway by offering what the agency determined to be the most effective solution and at the lowest price.

Sierra Nevada explores other uses of Dream Chaser

As Sierra Nevada Corporation continues production of its first Dream Chaser vehicle, the company is looking for ways to leverage that system for other applications.

Dynetics, Sierra Nevada bidding on Artemis lunar lander

A team led by Dynetics that includes Sierra Nevada Corporation (SNC) is among the bidders for a NASA program to develop landers that will carry astronauts to the surface of the moon.

NASA adds five companies to commercial lunar lander program

NASA announced Nov. 18 that it was adding five companies to a contract to perform commercial deliveries of payloads to the surface of the moon, a group that ranges from small ventures to Blue Origin and SpaceX.

Sierra Nevada ready to complete assembly of first Dream Chaser spacecraft

Sierra Nevada Corporation (SNC) says it’s ready to proceed into final assembly and testing of its first Dream Chaser cargo spacecraft, as the company retains plans to eventually develop a crewed version of the vehicle.

Sierra Nevada Corp. selects ULA Vulcan for Dream Chaser missions

Sierra Nevada Corp. announced Aug. 14 that it will use United Launch Alliance’s Vulcan launch vehicle for sending Dream Chaser cargo spacecraft to the International Space Station starting in late 2021.

Companies express varying interest in NASA’s ISS commercialization plan

NASA’s announcement of a new low Earth orbit commercialization strategy has prompted varying degrees of interest from companies, but even the most ardent supporters caution that the “devil is in the details.”

Price, contract terms helped Maxar secure Gateway contract

An ability to get on contract quickly and a price far lower that other companies were key factors in NASA’s decision to award a contract to Maxar Technologies for the first element of the lunar Gateway, the Power and Propulsion Element (PPE).

SNC preparing to ship habitat prototype to NASA for testing

Sierra Nevada Corp. is preparing to ship a prototype of an inflatable space habitat designed for lunar orbit and Mars missions to NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston.

What’s next for Air Force weather satellites?

NASA is closed and the U.S. Air Force will discuss what to do next on the program, known as ORS-8, when the government shutdown ends, Ralph Stoffler, Air Force weather director, told SpaceNews.

Dream Chaser cleared to begin full-scale production

Sierra Nevada Corporation (SNC) has won NASA approval to begin full-scale production of its Dream Chaser cargo spacecraft scheduled to make its first flight in about two years.

Air Force Rapid Capabilities Office awards contract to Sierra Nevada for weather satellite

A new office created to accelerate the acquisition of military space technologies awarded Sierra Nevada Corp. a $119 million contract last month to develop a weather satellite.