Is Dream Chaser Tenacity On Track To Launch In 2023?

Dream Chaser is a spaceplane trying to change how we access space. Decades ago, the Space Shuttle reinvented the spacecraft design and what was possible within the industry. While by no means perfect, it helped both build and support a lot of key space infrastructure still in use today. Dream Chaser while very different, has ambitious goals for the near future.

In terms of progress, right now Dream Chaser Teancity, the first Dream Chaser test article meant for space, is preparing for its mission. The mission begins with Tenacity being launched on top of United Launch Alliance’s Vulcan Centaur where it will then dock to the ISS before returning safely for a gentle runway landing. However, with a lot of work still left from both companies, it brings up the question of whether or not the third quarter of this year is still a realistic launch date.

Dream Chaser’s past has been plagued with quite a few delays. For over a decade now the spaceplane has been going through various development, testing, and now final preparation. Here I will go more in-depth into the possibilities of new delays, Tenacity’s progress, ULA and Sierra Space’s plans, and more.

Credit:

Chapters:
0:00 - Intro
0:55 - Tenacity's Launch Date
3:34 - Dream Chaser Spaceplane

[Commander-McBragg]

Can’t wait to see dreamchaser do its thing!

[sandbridgekid]

Are Sierra Nevada building the 2nd Cargo Dreamchaser and/or man rated article?

[Mountainear]

What are they going to do now that ULA is for sale?

[arturolozanoramirez]

Despeguen con un falcón 9 de space X y dejen de dar pretextos, ya queremos ver el dream chaser tenacity volando

[ifwemadeit]

Ita criminal you dont get more views. Felux gets to many.

[greyveteran]

I thought we learned with the shuttle that the space plane idea was flawed? I hope that the smaller and newer tech alleviates the the massive costs of the tiles and tile failures.

[ultramarinus]

NO. And with Starship out, why should Dream Chaser be completed anyway...?

[dirttdude]

kajigger the frigsake up the yang, its a more dope reentry gazoontite but fajiggered for anything else

[Mentaculus]

Great to hear the 70 reservations / sold Vulcan flights, but Aʴsetechnica says that ULA is up for sale, (possibly to Blue Origin, with Tory taking over BO). This is an interesting wrinkle.

The real question is whether Dream Chaser or starship land successfully first. This will be entertaining to see this play out. And add in a successful super heavy catch with the chopsticks. I think Dream Chaser has fewer unknowns unknowns.