The launch of Sierra Space’s Dream Chaser spaceplane is facing another delay as the company continues to test its experimental vehicle. The inaugural flight, currently scheduled for 2025, may not meet its deadline due to ongoing safety reviews and software certification issues.
According to Dana Weigel, NASA’s program manager for the International Space Station, there is still significant work to be done before Dream Chaser can fly to the ISS. Weigel stated that Sierra Space is working on updating their schedules to better understand the timeline for completion of these tasks.
Dream Chaser has been years in development and was originally intended to launch in 2020. However, it suffered delays due to technical issues and certification hurdles. The spaceplane is designed to launch to low Earth orbit, survive atmospheric reentry, and perform runway landings on the surface.
NASA’s delay in adopting an alternative transportation system for its crew and cargo has left no room for error. Following Boeing’s Starliner fiasco, NASA may be taking extra precautions before launching Dream Chaser to the ISS.
One of the remaining tasks is the certification of Dream Chaser’s software. This issue was highlighted by problems with Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft during its first orbital test flight in 2019. Another challenge is the designated launch vehicle for Dream Chaser, which experienced a booster anomaly during its second flight in October 2024.
While Dream Chaser is designed to be a next-generation reincarnation of the Space Shuttle, it may have to wait longer to fly due to these technical and certification issues.
Source: https://gizmodo.com/the-worlds-first-commercial-spaceplane-wont-be-launching-anytime-soon-2000639097