Dream Chaser

A new study has confirmed the viability of using Sierra Nevada’s (SNC) Dream Chaser, a suborbital and orbital lifting-body spacecraft, for crewed and uncrewed space missions to low-earth orbit.

Called Dream Chaser for European Utilization (DC4EU), the study is backed by German Aerospace Center (DLR) and OHB.

As part of the study, the application of Dream Chaser was evaluated for missions such as microgravity science, satellite servicing and active debris removal (ADR).

OHB executive management board member Fritz Merkle said: "The inherent design advantages of the Dream Chaser reusable lifting body spacecraft make it an ideal vehicle for a broad range of space applications.

"The spacecraft could be used to transport payloads and astronauts to the International Space Station, and as a manned or unmanned space vehicle, which will allow scientists to conduct research under weightless conditions."

"We partnered with SNC to study how the design of the Dream Chaser can be used to advance European interests in space."

In 2013, Sierra Nevada and OHB partnered to explore possible uses of Dream Chaser for space applications.

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The spacecraft could be used to transport payloads and astronauts to the International Space Station, and as a manned or unmanned space vehicle, which will allow scientists to conduct research under weightless conditions.

SNC space exploration systems vice-president John Olson said: "We see this study as the first step towards achieving broad scientific and servicing applications for international missions.

"SNC is currently working with OHB on the next phase of our ongoing DC4EU collaboration together with DLR and will be announcing further details in the near future."

At the American Society for Gravitational Space Research Conference, SNC demonstrated the Dream Chaser spacecraft microgravity research capability, including a mock-up of the Dream Chaser for science mission variant.

Image: The Dream Chaser has been evaluated for missions such as microgravity science, satellite servicing and active debris removal. Photo: courtesy of Nasa / OHB System AG.