Sierra Space’s “Dream Chaser” spacecraft, which aims to resupply the International Space Station (ISS), has successfully passed a first series of NASA tests, officials of the American agency announced Thursday.
Sierra Space wants its mini space shuttle to make its first missions to the ISS later this year.
Named Tenacity, this first “Dream Chaser” was completed in November by Sierra Space teams then sent to a NASA center located in Sandusky, Ohio, where it was subjected to vibration tests simulating takeoff and entry into the atmosphere.
The craft must then be put to the test of extremely low and high temperatures, as well as low pressure.
“We are really excited to begin on-orbit operations for NASA this year. This is a year that will change the way we connect Earth to space,” company boss Tom Vice told the press.
This ship was designed to fly autonomously and be reused up to 15 times.
Sierra Space won an agreement with NASA in 2016 to carry out resupply missions to the International Space Station.
The first unmanned flight of the shuttle is due to take place in 2024, although the precise date is not known. The vessel which is to deliver equipment will be launched by the Vulcan Centaur rocket which made its first flight in January.
The company Sierra Space aims to develop a private economy in low Earth orbit, and thus wishes to develop with the company Blue Origin a commercial space station called Orbital Reef.
