Sierra Space has successfully completed critical ground tests for its Dream Chaser spaceplane, named Tenacity, as the company realigns the vehicle's future towards national security applications. The shift comes after a significant modification to its NASA cargo contract, moving the focus from International Space Station resupply to a broader, multi-use platform.
The company announced on November 13 that the reusable spaceplane passed key electromagnetic interference and compatibility tests at NASA's Kennedy Space Center. These milestones clear the way for further testing before the vehicle is modified for its new, undisclosed defense-related roles.
Key Takeaways
- Sierra Space's Dream Chaser spaceplane completed essential electromagnetic and runway tow tests in Florida.
- The company's contract with NASA was modified from seven ISS missions to a single orbital test flight scheduled for late 2026.
- Dream Chaser is now being adapted for potential national security applications, with modifications planned in Colorado.
- Despite the pivot, Sierra Space maintains that NASA remains a key partner for future civil and commercial space station missions.
Ground Testing Success Sets the Stage
Engineers at the Kennedy Space Center have been meticulously putting the first Dream Chaser vehicle through its paces. The recent electromagnetic testing was designed to ensure the spaceplane's complex electrical systems operate without interfering with each other or with its future launch vehicle.
Dan Polis, vice president of engineering solutions at Sierra Space, confirmed the successful outcome. "We completed the electrical system closeout and verified that, as we operate the vehicle, we’re not interfering with ourselves or Dream Chaser’s launch vehicle," he stated in an interview.
In addition to electrical checks, the team conducted a series of high-speed tow tests. A truck pulled the unpowered spaceplane along the same runway once used by the Space Shuttle. These tests were crucial for verifying the performance of Dream Chaser's navigation systems and its ability to communicate with the company's control center in Colorado, both via direct line-of-sight and through NASA's satellite network.
Upcoming Milestones
The next major hurdle for Tenacity is a launch acoustics test scheduled for December. This will simulate the intense vibrations and sound pressure the vehicle will experience during liftoff. After this, it will be transported back to Sierra Space's Colorado facility.
A Strategic Shift in Mission
Originally developed under a 2016 NASA contract to fly cargo to the International Space Station (ISS), Dream Chaser's path has changed. In September, Sierra Space and NASA agreed to modify the Commercial Resupply Services (CRS) 2 contract. Instead of the initial seven ISS missions, the contract now covers a single demonstration flight in low Earth orbit, planned for late 2026.
This revised plan allows Sierra Space to explore other markets, with a strong emphasis on national security. Following its upcoming acoustics test, the company announced that Tenacity will undergo "modifications for national security applications" in Colorado. While officials remain tight-lipped about the specifics, the move signals a significant pivot for the versatile spaceplane.
This strategic change also influenced the vehicle's testing program. Polis explained the adjustment in focus.
"We will gear our verification so there are some pivots away from things we were doing for a station-first mission, and pivot toward our new potential customers."
The company also noted that getting "mutual alignment with NASA" was a key factor in the decision, allowing them to "exploit the vehicle’s flexibility for multi-platform applications."
Launch Schedule Adjustments
Dream Chaser was previously slated to launch on the second flight of United Launch Alliance's Vulcan rocket in late 2024. However, in June 2024, Sierra Space agreed to relinquish that spot. The move allowed ULA to proceed with a critical launch needed to certify the new rocket for national security missions, highlighting the interconnected priorities within the U.S. aerospace sector.
The Future of a Multi-Purpose Vehicle
While national security is the new immediate focus, Sierra Space has not closed the door on its original civil and commercial goals. The company views Dream Chaser as a uniquely flexible platform capable of serving multiple clients with different needs. The ability to land on a conventional runway, similar to an airplane, is one of its key advantages.
Further tests scheduled in Colorado will include hot-fire trials of its propulsion system and comprehensive "day in the life" simulations to integrate all hardware and software components. After these modifications and tests, Tenacity will return to Florida for final preparations for its 2026 orbital flight.
Sierra Space continues to view NASA as a foundational partner. "NASA is a critical customer," Polis affirmed. "We ultimately want to be their service provider after this first flight, and through their CLD [commercial low Earth orbit destinations] partners, and so we have an eye on all of those requirements."
The company believes this dual-use strategy is the optimal path forward for the innovative spaceplane.
"This is a multi-purpose vehicle, and we see it fitting both national security and civil space," Polis concluded, emphasizing that the contract realignment demonstrated NASA's commitment to the vehicle's long-term potential.