Dream Chaser for CEV requirement

[Flyaway]

ULA reiterated their launch schedule and still no mention of the Dreamchaser launch could be its fallen back from launch 5 to 6 of Vulcan. Remember this is Vulcan waiting for Dreamchaser to be ready. Could be its lost out to a GPS launch.

 

[NMaude]

Since the Dreamchaser isn't ready to launch then isn't ULA going to launch a mass-simulator in its place to represent the Dreamchaser?

 

[TomS]

Since the Dreamchaser isn't ready to launch then isn't ULA going to launch a mass-simulator in its place to represent the Dreamchaser?

For Cert 2. After that ULA says they have two National Security missions (assuming Cert 2 is good). Dreamchaser isn't on the schedule until after those, which probably makes it flight 5 or 6. Last month, it looked like Flight 5, with 6 being a GPS III launch. I can't find the schedule that Flyway is talking about, but would not be shocked if Dreamchaser gets shuffled a bit. The ISS docking port availability schedule can play havoc with missions there.

 

[Flyaway]

For Cert 2. After that ULA says they have two National Security missions (assuming Cert 2 is good). Dreamchaser isn't on the schedule until after those, which probably makes it flight 5 or 6. Last month, it looked like Flight 5, with 6 being a GPS III launch. I can't find the schedule that Flyway is talking about, but would not be shocked if Dreamchaser gets shuffled a bit. The ISS docking port availability schedule can play havoc with missions there.

There’s no confirmed schedule beyond this year’s end but I was expecting to see some mention of early flights for next year. My guess is it will lose out to GPS III and end up on flight six.

Schedule used as linked to below.

ULA’s next launch is the second certification flight (Cert-2) of the Vulcan rocket from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Florida. Vulcan will also launch USSF-106 and USSF-87, two critical NSS missions, to orbit later this year.

United Launch Alliance Successfully Launches 100th National Security Mission

United Launch Alliance Successfully Launches 100th National Security Mission

newsroom.ulalaunch.com

 

[FighterJock]

They obviously think that GPS 3 is far more important than Dreamchaser at this time.

 

[Flyaway]

Overview of remaining work on Dream Chaser ahead of launch as of August 2nd. Still a significant amount so unsurprising that it was removed from flight 2 of Vulcan and that it will now launch next year.

Sierra Space Commences Final Testing and Launch Preparations for Dream Chaser® Spaceplane at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center | Sierra Space

Company Selects All Points Logistics for Long-Term Reprocessing of Dream Chaser in Florida on Future Missions LOUISVILLE, Colo. – August 2, 2024 – Sierra Space, a leading commercial space-tech company that is Building a Platform in Space to Benefit Life on Earth® announced today that final...

www.sierraspace.com

 

[NMaude]

The Space Bucket has just put out a video concerning the Dream Chaser's final heat-shield application:

After months of initial shock, vibration, thermal vacuum, and other forms of testing, Dream Chaser Tenacity, the first test article set to launch, has officially moved on to its final steps. In an official statement from Sierra Space, they outlined some of the upcoming plans involving even more testing, finishing the heat shield, and eventually integrating the vehicle with Vulcan.
While some of the initial delays pushed this maiden flight back, missing its first ride on Vulcan, it still is not far away from another launch opportunity. Here I will go more in-depth into the exact vehicle progress, heat shield completion, the upcoming launch schedule, and more.

Full article here - https://thespacebucket.com/dream-chas...

Chapters:
0:00 - Intro
0:32 - The Road to Launch
3:41 - New Reuse Opportunities

 

[Flyaway]

Sierra Space's Dream Chaser space plane to use new Kennedy Space Center prep facility

Early next year, crews should break ground on a half-million-square-foot spacecraft processing facility at NASA's Kennedy Space Center that will prep Sierra Space's uncrewed Dream Chaser space plane before and after takeoff into orbit.

All Points Logistics, a Merritt Island-based company, announced the partnership with Sierra Space to accommodate Dream Chaser pre-launch payload integration, checkout, launch vehicle integration and other ground-based services.

All Points hopes to build and open its 150-foot-tall spacecraft complex in 2026 on 60 acres south of NASA's Vehicle Assembly Building.

Sierra is going to tow a Dream Chaser down the SLF runway on a trailer.

Explanation Taxi Tow Testing of Sierra Space Corporations Dream Chaser Space Plane ahead of its first mission to the International Space Station (ISS) for Cargo delivery and return.

Purpose of Operation Transmissions from a mobile Ground Station during Tow/taxi test demonstration of multi-system performance over a range of speeds and braking profiles of the Dream Chaser spacecraft.

Operation Start Date:09/14/2024
Operation End Date:12/01/2024

 

[Flyaway]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1828443446446592024

View: https://x.com/SierraSpaceCo/status/1828443446446592024

Our Shooting Star cargo module is equipped with six aft-pointing thrusters. Following separation during launch, these thrusters serve as the primary propulsion mechanism until Dream Chaser is maneuvered and aligned with the @Space_Station.

 

[Flyaway]

Dreamchaser now seems set for a Q1 2025 launch on Vulcan.

 

[Hydroman]

Man has this been in the works for a long time, finally, 2025 (potentially)? I remember when I recommended a distributed, EMA FBW flight control system from a systems trade-off white paper back in 2013 for SN when I worked at our other division.

 

[NMaude]

I remember when I recommended a distributed, EMA FBW flight control system from a systems trade-off white paper back in 2013 for SN when I worked at our other division.

Do you have a URL to this white-paper?

 

[Hydroman]

Do you have a URL to this white-paper?

It was an internal white paper for SN and not for publication unfortunately. But they did not go with a distributed (EMA controllers and EMAs located near the flight surfaces) architecture as I recall.

 

[Flyaway]

Dreamchaser is now set for launch on mission V006.

 

[NMaude]

Dreamchaser is now set for launch on mission V006.

So the sixth Vulcan-Centaur flight?

 

[Flyaway]

So the sixth Vulcan-Centaur flight?

Yes in Q1 2025.

 

[Forest Green]

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M3TCWfNVCmg

 

[Flyaway]

Unfortunately recent info seems to suggest that it wouldn’t be safe to bet on it launching at all in 2025. See below.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1844087210859167976

View: https://twitter.com/sciguyspace/status/1844087210859167976

Dreamchaser-1 is now NET May 2025. I'm not sure I would feel particularly confident in that date either, but there you go.

 

[publiusr]

It and Vulcan seem made for each other--what with delays.

 

[Byeman]

It and Vulcan seem made for each other--what with delays.

No new launch vehicle is without delays, most of all, SLS.

 

[NMaude]

It would appear that the Dream Chaser is getting a new heat-shield, from the Space Bucket:

A company called Sierra Space has been working on a modern spaceplane known as Dream Chaser. With the first launch scheduled to happen in 2025, we are not far away as they complete final testing and assembly on the first test article, named Tenacity.

One of the main focuses of this reusable vehicle has been its heat shield, which will determine not only its ability to reenter the atmosphere in one piece but also launch consistently with limited refurbishment between flights. Interestingly, the company is already working on a new heat shield for the second test article.

Full article here - https://thespacebucket.com/dream-chas...

Credit:
NASA - / @nasa https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCLA_DiR1FfKNvjuUpBHmylQ
SNC - / sierranevadacorp https://www.youtube.com/user/sierranevadacorp

Chapters:
0:00 - Intro
0:35 - New Heat Shield
4:02 - Heat Shield Design

 

[publiusr]

Venture Star's metal TPS no good?

 

[NMaude]

Venture Star's metal TPS no good?

That is a good question, IMO the cancellation of the X-33 was shortsighted.

 

[Flyaway]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1863642979144966251

View: https://x.com/SierraSpaceCo/status/1863642979144966251

As our first Shooting Star cargo module undergoes final testing at @NASAKennedy in Florida, our second and third cargo modules are in build at our Dream Factory in Colorado. These modules significantly increase the cargo capacity of Dream Chaser and provide versatile capability.https://x.com/SierraSpaceCo/status/1863642979144966251/photo/1

 

[Rhinocrates]

That's the worst case of varicose veins I've ever seen.

 

[publiusr]

I got those beat--it's how my lungs filled with clots.

 

[Flyaway]

2315-EX-ST-2024 [Dec 13]

The primary purpose of this operation is to deliver cargo to the ISS using DCCS, conduct ISS attached operations/experiments, dispose/return cargo from the ISS, and to land Dream Chaser. There has been a delay in the DCC-1 mission.

The current request for an STA covering the new DCC-1 mission dates, nominally 45 days with an expected launch date of May 21, 2025. Out of abundance of caution to account for possible slips in the Launch date, an STA is being requested from 05/01/2024 to 10/28/2025.