NASA and Sierra Space have mutually agreed to modify a 2016 contract for the Dream Chaser space plane, removing the guarantee for a specific number of cargo missions to the International Space Station (ISS). The revision prioritizes a free-flight demonstration of the vehicle, now targeted for late 2026, leaving the possibility of future ISS visits open but not assured.
This change comes as the operational window for the ISS narrows, with the station scheduled for a controlled deorbit in 2030. The Dream Chaser, a reusable lifting-body spacecraft, was originally slated to become a key part of NASA's commercial resupply services.
Key Takeaways
- NASA and Sierra Space have revised their cargo contract, removing the minimum of seven guaranteed flights for the Dream Chaser space plane.
- The new focus is a free-flight demonstration targeted for late 2026, which must be successful before NASA considers ordering missions.
- Sierra Space is highlighting the vehicle's potential for other applications, including national security and servicing future commercial space stations.
- The International Space Station is set to be decommissioned in 2030, creating a tight timeline for any potential Dream Chaser missions to the orbiting lab.
Contract Revision Shifts Focus to Test Flight
NASA and Sierra Space have formally altered their Commercial Resupply Services 2 (CRS-2) contract. The original agreement, signed in 2016, guaranteed Sierra Space at least seven cargo missions to the International Space Station using its Dream Chaser vehicle and its Shooting Star cargo module.
In a statement released on September 25, NASA officials explained the decision. "After a thorough evaluation, NASA and Sierra Space have mutually agreed to modify the contract," the statement read. The agency noted that Sierra Space determined the vehicle's development is "best served by a free flight demonstration."
Under the new terms, NASA is no longer obligated to purchase a specific number of flights. Instead, the agency may order missions from Sierra Space if the 2026 demonstration flight is successful. NASA's direct involvement will also be reduced, with the agency providing "minimal support" for the remainder of the development phase.
Sierra Space Explores New Mission Profiles
While the path to the ISS is now less certain, Sierra Space is positioning the Dream Chaser for a wider range of applications. The company, which spun off from Sierra Nevada Corporation in 2021, emphasized the vehicle's versatility and potential beyond NASA's cargo program.
"Dream Chaser represents the future of versatile space transportation and mission flexibility," said Fatih Ozmen, executive chair at Sierra Space, in a company statement.
Ozmen highlighted the vehicle's capabilities for "emerging and existential threats and national security priorities." This pivot aligns with the company's increased focus on the defense technology market. Sierra Space maintains that the Dream Chaser can serve as a valuable national asset for various mission profiles.
A Legacy of Space Planes
The Dream Chaser follows in the legacy of NASA's Space Shuttle program, which was instrumental in the construction and early servicing of the ISS. The shuttle fleet, composed of reusable winged orbiters, was retired in 2011. The Dream Chaser is designed to land on conventional runways, similar to the shuttle, offering a different method for returning cargo and science experiments from orbit compared to capsule-based systems.
The Future of Low Earth Orbit
The contract modification occurs against the backdrop of a changing landscape in low Earth orbit (LEO). With the ISS's retirement planned for 2030, NASA is actively encouraging the development of commercial space stations to replace it.
This new generation of private orbital outposts could provide future destinations for the Dream Chaser. Sierra Space has indicated that its space plane could be used to service these commercial platforms, ensuring its relevance even after the ISS is gone.
Current ISS Cargo Providers
Two American companies currently handle robotic resupply missions for NASA:
- SpaceX: Uses its reusable Dragon cargo capsule, which launches atop a Falcon 9 rocket.
- Northrop Grumman: Employs its Cygnus spacecraft, which is an expendable vehicle.
SpaceX has also been selected by NASA to develop a specialized vehicle, based on its Dragon spacecraft, to safely deorbit the ISS at the end of its service life.
A Narrowing Window for the ISS
The first Dream Chaser vehicle, named Tenacity, has been in development for years. The delay of its first flight and the shift to a 2026 demonstration means there is limited time for it to fly missions to the International Space Station before its 2030 decommissioning.
If the demonstration is successful, NASA could still order flights within the final years of the station's operation. However, the revised contract removes the certainty of these missions, making the 2026 test a critical milestone for the program's future with the space agency.
The agreement underscores a pragmatic approach from both NASA and Sierra Space, adapting to development timelines and the evolving strategic needs of the U.S. space program. The focus now shifts entirely to the success of that crucial first flight in two years.