Dream Chaser Tenacity Is Vertical For Launch Testing

After decades of development and testing, Dream Chaser Tenacity, the first test article, is verticle and at NASA’s facility. It’s about to complete vibration testing in conjunction with the Shooting Star module and is almost ready to launch. Assuming the next few tests go well, the only limiting factor will be the Vulcan launch vehicle which is preparing for its maiden flight.

NASA and Sierra Space just released an update on the progress of this vehicle’s pre-launch testing and some of the final steps necessary before it’s approved for its mission to the International Space Station. On this mission, it will attempt to demonstrate the operations and unique benefits of a modern spaceplane. Here I will go more in-depth into the completed tests, what the next steps are, the expected launch date, and more.

Credit:

Chapters:
0:00 - Intro
0:39 - Tenacity Is Vertical
3:36 - The First Mission

[jaymac]

What a beautiful little craft 😍 Good luck Sierra Space and all affiliates 😊

[Hoopaball]

That's a lot of blood sweat and tears to put on top of two BE-4 engines. Let's hope it survives liftoff.

[abrd]

appreciate your focus on Dream Chaser 👍

[jameskelly]

Ive been waiting almost 20 years for this.

Dream Chaser was originally designed as the "Hermes" for ESA in the 1990s.

The design was adpoted by a company called "Space Dev", which, amoung other things, made hybrid solid rocket motors for "Space Ship One" in the early 2000s.

In 2008, Space Dev was purchased by SNC and the Dream Chaser program recieved more funding and resources.

[RyanBlockb]

Thanks for reporting on Sierra Space. To many channels focus to much on SpaceX. How about an up date on Stoke?

[GreyDeathVaccine]

Can't wait. This spaceplane looks adorable.

[michaelreid]

I wonder how specific this prelaunch vibration test is? Would the results be specific to a Vulcan vehicle or could the results also apply to a Falcon 9? I imagine there would be different harmonic modes of vibration working through the vehicle and payload at launch. Would a Falcon9 launch be a smoother ride to the cargo compared to a 2 engine Vulcan?

[ronjon]

Dream Chaser kinda looks like a giant shoe.

[DanG]

Not clear why they didn't go with SpaceX. Were they prevented by contractural obligations? No good having a rapid turnaround vehicle if you don't have a rapid turnaround rocket to put it on top of.

[angel_cheon-sa]

normally when you see these labs where they build these ships, theyre all in cleanroom style clothing. Not these guys.

[Tyler.i.]

It takes so long to create these projects although research into space plane's of various designs has been going on since the early space age the Russians made a similar designs decades ago. I wish there was more cooperation and funding into space.

[gregknipe]

Too bad tenacity is linked to the record of
ULA’s luck.

[TheMoneypresident]

Can't be any worse than a starship launch.

[markoreilly]

X-37B has been flying for 23 yrs,

Tell me AGAIN, just how "advanced" Dreamchaser is ???