To use the private spaceport in New Mexico as a potential future landing location for the company's Dream Chaser spacecraft, Sierra Space will collaborate with Spaceport America.
A Memorandum of Understanding between Sierra Space and Spaceport America was announced on June 21 to explore Dream Chaser vehicle landings on the spaceport's 3,650-meter runway.
Together, they'll work on a request for a reentry site license from the Federal Aviation Administration to permit landings.
Parabolic Arc said the Shuttle Landing Facility (SLF) at NASA's Kennedy Space Center, along with airports and landing sites in Huntsville, Alabama, Oita Airport, Japan, and Spaceport Cornwall in the United Kingdom, are just a few of the compatible runways that have recently been added to a growing list of locations around the world where the Dream Chaser could land.
Sierra Space's Dream Chaser To Land In New Mexico
Dream Chaser is a multi-mission space utility spacecraft among other LEO destinations, such as the International Space Station (ISS). Currently, NASA has contracted the spacecraft for seven commercial resupply flights to the International Space Station, which will provide services for the delivery, return, and disposal of trash.
It is the only commercial spacecraft that can return to Earth with low gravity and land on runways compatible with commercial traffic across the world, providing quick access to precious cargo. Beginning in 2023, Dream Chaser will be released.
"Sierra Space is building the future of space - from transportation, to commercial space destinations and all of the emerging applications - to develop a vibrant, growing and accessible commercial space economy," said Sierra Space CEO Tom Vice, per SpaceRef.
"With that vision in mind, we are creating space-tech hubs within the commercial space ecosystem and adding Spaceport America as a prospective landing site for Dream Chaser to continue to open up affordable access to space for all."
The updated MOU emphasizes the two companies' shared efforts to expand Spaceport America's capabilities and customer interest in Dream Chaser reentry at the spaceport. So that Spaceport America may fulfill their common objective, both parties will apply for a Part 433 reentry site operator's license from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).
Up to 12,000 pounds of goods may be delivered to the International Space Station (ISS) at a time using the Dream Chaser, which is presently contracted to carry out cargo supply and return missions for NASA beginning in 2023.
ALSO READ : Redwire Space, Partner of Blue Origin's Proposed Orbital Reef Space Station Sued Over Securities Fraud
Spaceport America, Sierra Space 'Excited' To Work With Each Other
Scott McLaughlin, executive director of Spaceport America, said in a statement obtained by SpaceNews that they were excited about their partnership with Sierra Space.
According to McLaughlin, Sierra Space is creating the future of space, including all developing applications, commercial space destinations, and transportation. They aim to create a thriving, expanding, and open commercial space economy.
Spaceport America will keep granting everyone in the United States and the rest of the world access to space at a low cost as a prospective landing place for the Dream Chaser spacecraft. With Sierra Space, they are eager to further their alliance and cooperation.
Additionally, through fostering connections between other Dream Chaser and Spaceport America customers and New Mexico, this MOU serves to showcase the latter's vision.
The Spaceport America Cup, the largest intercollegiate rocket engineering competition in the world, is sponsored at the diamond level by Sierra Space. Sierra Space president and former astronaut Dr. Janet Kavandi, delivered the opening remarks at the event.
RELATED ARTICLE : NASA Finance $130M to Blue Origin for Building ISS Replacement, Orbit Reef Space Station Will Soon Rise as Business Park
Check out more news and information on Space in Science Times.
