SpaceX's Big Solution to Launch Sierra Dream Chaser Replace Vulcan…

SpaceX's Big Solution to Launch Sierra Dream Chaser Replace Vulcan…
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0:00-0:20: Intro
0:21-3:41: Dream Chaser slipped
3:42-SpaceX's Big Solution
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#alphatech
#techalpha
#spacex
#elonmusk
#starship
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SpaceX's Big Solution to Launch Sierra Dream Chaser Replace Vulcan…
SpaceX's Big Solution to Launch Sierra Dream Chaser Replace Vulcan…
No doubt! Dream Chaser is teetering on the edge of the abyss because it no longer has a launch vehicle as planned for its first launch.
Who will help them? Well, no one else but SpaceX. But it won't be the Falcon 9 rocket, so which one will it be, the Falcon Heavy or the Starship?
Let’s find out on today's episode of Alpha Tech:
As we know, ULA was very eager to proceed with its second launch in September because this is the final step before the new rocket can be certified to perform national security missions for the Department of Defense.
SpaceX's Big Solution to Launch Sierra Dream Chaser Replace Vulcan…
Meanwhile, Sierra reportedly informed ULA that it had “significant risk” toward making the September launch date and that it would “step aside” so the rocket company could move ahead with its certification.
In a separate statement, Sierra Space said that despite the setback, their first Dream Chaser spacecraft, named Tenacity, is still on track for its first mission before the end of the year. Tenacity, along with the expendable Shooting Star cargo module, completed environmental testing, a series of tests to ensure the vehicle will survive the harsh conditions of launch and orbit, in early May. The spacecraft was moved to NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida later that month, where they are currently undergoing final testing before launch.
SpaceX's Big Solution to Launch Sierra Dream Chaser Replace Vulcan…
While the delay is a major disappointment for space enthusiasts eagerly awaiting Dream Chaser's launch, it is also a smart move by Sierra Space, as extending the testing period ensures that the efficiency and reliability of the first launch will be superior.
They have likely also learned some lessons from their competitor Boeing with the Starliner spacecraft, realizing they cannot allow their vehicle to have any issues in space leading to a failure like Starliner. Currently, Starliner is still stuck in space with no specific return date to Earth.
Another reason for the separation of Dream Chaser and Vulcan could be a mistaken collaboration from the start between ULA and Sierra Space.
For ULA, they should not have chosen a developing vehicle as their payload. They should have understood that they needed to act quickly to get their rocket operational. Meanwhile, the development of Dream Chaser is clearly slow and cannot keep up with their pace.
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[billmullins]

The narration made a point of saying that Falcon Heavy's launch cadence was well below that of Falcon 9. What the narration failed to mention was that the reason fewer FHs launch than F9s is the simple fact that not every customer needs the heavy lift capacity of the FH. For most payloads, the FH would be wasted. Using FH for most payloads would be like chartering a semi to haul a load which could be carried by a pickup.

[andrewfrancis]

You just recycled an old video. There is nothing in the video about Space X actually doing anything to put Dream Chaser into orbit. Only your conjecture that they could.

[icare]

The crewed Dream Chaser will replace StarLiner, as StarLiner should have been cancelled years ago.
Fire NASA Director Bill Nelson, cancel StarLiner contract and Boeing refund $6, 000, 000, 000 for breach of contract, reckless endangerment of crew and ISS.

[rocroc]

The bottom line is that Dream Chaser was not ready and was still dealing with technical issues preventing them from launching. They were removed from the launch schedule and are still not ready to launch. Dream Chaser is a very costly and highly technical craft. A manned version is at least five years away. By that time other less expensive alternatives will be available as well. I think it likely that ULA will be sold to Blue Origin and that will leave two or three US big rocket providers still standing. One still struggles with a single small rocket that continues to have problems. Not a good picture at the moment.

[pedrosura]

It’s ironic to call ULA an unproven launch vehicle while suggesting to use Starship instead, also unproven.. Falcon 9 and Falcon Heavy are proven but to wait for Starship to launch a small payload is ridiculous.

[myfavoritemartian]

By the time Dream Chaser gets flight certified, The ISS will be de-orbited and gone. Better find another use for it.

[johnrday]

So just what date is Dream Chaser planning to Launch (and on what Rocket? )

[dragineeztoo]

Using a Starship booster for a tiny little Dream Chaser seems like overkill. I'd bet Falcon 9 could do it if you paid to have the booster be expendable. Or use a Falcon Heavy and recover all 3 boosters.

[sxmolin]

Bigger payload doors need to be on Starship if they want to use it to launch Dream Chaser

[CrazyChemistPL]

Honestly, I cannot wait for another spaceplane... especially a crewed version. One that fixes the issues caused by Space Shuttle's unusual launch cofiguration. I firmly stand in my belief that in itself the Shuttle Orbiter was a safe and reliable vehicle, as both its tragic disasters were caused not by faulty design of the Orbiter, but by the way the Orbiter was integrated into the launch stack.

[patmcnally]

I hope Dream Chaser gets adopted to Super Heavy . More Different Rockets the Better for them. BO has messed with them too much in the last Joint space station..

[kjetilhvalstrand]

Ariane 6 has only been used once, but based on powan technology, Cooperation between ESA and Sierra makes a lot of sense.

[mpbroadcast]

If Boeing gives up on Starliner, that will free up at least four Atlas V rockets.

[carldietz]

Maybe if Blue Origin and ULA really want to get to actual SPACE they could NICELY/POLITELY ask SpaceX for a delivery.

[Shivaho]

Boeing screwed up by not making a Cargo Starcoffin they could test without Risking Astronauts

[WFKO.]

Dream Chaser as Starship escape shuttle :D

[daveoatway]

Dream Chaser looks very promising but is TOTALLY untested for the most difficult re-entry phase of flight. It would have been good to see Elon's test to failure, fix, test again approach. There is no reason to expect Dream Chaser to perform as expected until it has done so. It could wind up another Star Liner like Boeing. Fly it! Then Fly IT again until it works as intended!

[MichaelCarriger]

While Dream Chaser isn't proven as yet, NASA, Sierra, and SpaceX need to come together to ensure a timely launch vehicle for Dream Chaser and make Boeing repay the $4.2B they were given for Starliner development. Then NASA could fund projects like VIPER that have been recently cancelled, Sierra would get a proven launch vehicle, and we'd all get another vehicle capable of going to space without leaks everywhere.

[tonysu]

I'm guessing if Sierra wants to fly on SpaceX, a Heavy booster might be the most expedient without requiring special structures or modifications but if Sierra plans on making SoaceX its main launch partner then the work should be done to put Tenacity in a Falcon 9.

[kennethwers]

Put Dream chaser on a falcon without Shooting Star (Shooting Star lite?) with a falcon heavy faring (should fit as the core is the same. That would be a good test for Dream chaser. SpaceX would be wise to give Sierra space A fantastic deal that would put a feather is SpaceX capabilities in the long run.