Dream Chaser Tenacity Is Almost Ready For Its First Launch

Many years ago we watched the Space Shuttle perform countless missions and utilize its unique features. While by no means perfect, the design did offer a few different benefits that some companies today took note of. Sierra Space’s Dream Chaser spaceplane is a great example. This being said, Dream Chaser has some significant differences from the shuttle hoping to make it stand out as a next generation spacecraft.

Over the past few months, we have watched as Sierra Space completes some of the final preparations on its test article Tenacity. This spaceplane is set to lift off for the first time not long from now in 2023. However, before this launch, a few important milestones must be met by not only Dream Chaser but also its launch vehicle.

In addition to work on Tenacity, Sierra Space continues to stay quiet and construct the other Dream Chaser test article revealed just a few months ago. All of which in an effort to increase access to space and facilitate future ambitious projects. Here I will go more in-depth into Dream Chaser’s progress, its upcoming first launch, what to expect, and more.

Credit:

Chapters:
0:00 - Intro
0:57 - Tenacity's Progress
3:28 - Dream Chaser & Its Mission

[BaronFeydRautha]

The designers of Dream Chaser really liked Farscape. LOL. I am so glad they are going ahead with the manned version and not just the unmanned cargo variant.

[jamesmiller]

I'm old enough to remember Boeing X-20 Dyna-Soar project and all the other space planes I like the shape and style of this one. It's kinda funny that we are starting to see a lot of retro space ideas come back

[jjflash]

Excited about Dream Chaser. Would love to see the inside cabin and payload bay.

[jaymac]

There's SO many space missions going on right now 😭 What a time to be a fan of spaceflight! 😊

[martinnymark]

Wow this has been planned for so many years. Cant believe they are finally building it.

[Scottyrock]

This is a very exciting craft. Look forward to seeing what it can do.

[p.a.reysen]

About time! I was privilged to watch it's roll-out at Edwards while on the STS Recovery Team. Dream Chaser is a concept long in coming after the destruction of the STS program. Great going, Sierra.

[arthurwagar]

Great looking plane. Hope it has a long future.
Thanks for sharing.

[AerialWaviator]

It's been a long time coming. Looking forward to seeing Dream Chaser launch to space and finally dock with the Space Station.

Dream Chaser is a derivative of the HL-20 and the the Assured Crew Return Vehicle (ACRV). ACRV was designed to be carried in the Space Shuttle cargo bay as an alternative crew return vehicle for long duration missions. Sometimes ACRV referred to as the Station Crew Return Alternative Module (SCRAM).
Space Shuttles remained in orbit for just a couple weeks. After the Challenger accident, payloads carrying significant fuel were omitted as potential payloads. Considered too high risk, post program reviews, and due to budget constraints.

[raymondwarth]

Nice to see the X 20 Dyna-Soar is finally getting built. If they want to into space next year the may want to talk spacex about a falcon 9 ride.

[TheMrPeteChannel]

Didn't individual hand cut tiles help make the space shuttle very expensive 🤔? Yeah I know the DC is much smaller but if there's gonna be a fleet of these things that might raise the cost.

[benitosalazar]

So many new ideas and options being floated for space travel today. This truly is an exciting time.

[dimetimec]

I think other then Starship the dream chaser is the spacecraft im most excited to see fly.

[MarcAus]

I forgot they named this tenacity, back when they were taking suggestions for Perseverance's little helicopter buddy that was my suggestion. They made the right choice with ingenuity . Also to be honest, making a new mini spaceplane after the failure of the shuttle does show tenacity.

[esphilee]

But at this rate, by the time Dream Chaser got readied to dock with the ISS, there might not be a ISS to dock with.

[johnthomas]

and I would hope that the Falcon 9 has been up-fitted withe the specs to carry to space and launch the Dream Chaser spaceplane

[HightowerLSSD]

Tenacity looks like something I've seen before. I can't place my finger on it, but a TV show comes to mind...

[NavidIsANoob]

I'm very glad I found this channel! Excellent quality.

[calvinmasters]

It's good to know that space planes are not dead.
Added bonus that this one can land on a commercial runway.

[glennavellino]

It looks like the space module from Farscape a scifi tv show from the early 2000