Dream Chaser Plane Tenacity Arrives in Florida Ahead Scheduled ISS Cargo Flight

Dream Chaser's first space plane, "Tenacity," arrived in Florida. It is expected to lift off this year and reach the International Space Station (ISS).

Dream Chaser's Space Plane Tenacity Arrives

Colorado-based Sierra Space's robotic Dream Chaser arrived at NASA's Kennedy Space Center (KSC) on Saturday (May 18) for final processing and testing in preparation for its maiden freight journey to the International Space Station (ISS). With the cargo module "Shooting Star," the spacecraft named "Tenacity" will soon provide supplies to the International Space Station.

Tenacity will launch from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, which is adjacent to KSC, using United Launch Alliance's new Vulcan Centaur rocket for its first flight, which is anticipated to occur in late 2024. The spacecraft and module will deliver 7,800 pounds (3,500 kg) of cargo to the orbiting laboratory, according to a statement released by NASA on Monday (May 20).

Dream Chaser is a spacecraft inspired by Soviet and NASA space shuttle designs. Depending on the version, it can carry either cargo or humans into low Earth orbit.

Dream Chaser was one of the first participants in NASA's Commercial Crew Program, and it was managed by Sierra Space's predecessor organizations, SpaceDev and Sierra Nevada Corp.(SNC).

Later, in 2016, NASA awarded SNC a Commercial Resupply Services 2 (CRS-2) contract, requiring the corporation to complete at least six missions to the International Space Station. SpaceX and Orbital ATK, currently part of Northrop Grumman, were also given financing for their Cygnus and Dragon cars, respectively.

Over the past 10 years, Dream Chaser prototypes have also completed ground testing and autonomous glide flights in Earth's atmosphere.

Large programs frequently have development setbacks, but Dream Chaser's developer, Sierra Space, has made significant strides recently.

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ULA, Blue Origin and Arianespace Setbacks

As mentioned, several companies related to space exploration encountered hurdles along the way, causing delays. These include huge corporations like United Launch Alliance (ULA), Blue Origin, and Arianespace, which are all part of Amazon's ambitious Project Kuiper.

In April 2022, Amazon inked contracts with United Launch Alliance, Blue Origin, and Arianespace. Under these agreements, up to 83 rocket launches of the Ariane 6, New Glenn, and Vulcan Centaur were scheduled. The contracts collectively represent the largest order ever placed for a commercial launch.

Amazon made the promises even though none of the vehicles had been launched at the time the contract was signed. By September 2023, none of the three vehicles had made a single launch attempt and had suffered serious development setbacks.

A pension fund that holds stock in Amazon has sued the company's board of directors over the contract. However, during a panel discussion on Sept. 11, 2023, the executives from the three launch companies said they were close to their maiden launches.

ULA's president and chief executive, Tory Bruno, stated at the time that they would launch Vulcan in December of the said year. Although it did not happen, Vulcan Centaur was launched on Jan. 8, 2024.

Jarrett Jones, senior vice president for New Glenn at Blue Origin, said the vehicle would launch in September. In February, the New Glenn vehicle successfully rolled out and upended for the first time on the Launch Complex 36 (LC-36) pad.

Meanwhile, Stéphane Israël, chief executive of Arianespace, said that "things are progressing very well" for Arianne 6, which was set to make its first launch attempt in July 2024.