NASA has unveil its next coevals spaceplane , the “ Dream Chaser , ” its first space reusable quad vehicle since the retirement of the beloved fleet of partially reclaimable Space Shuttles .
So far , it ’s only complete its first run of test flights but NASA plans to use this model to ferry shipment to the International Space Station ( ISS ) within the next few years . Its 2d round of test trajectory will hit the skies by the end of this twelvemonth .
Dream Chaser was designed and built by the Sierra Nevada Corporation and it look as nerveless as its name paint a picture . This privately - possess fellowship was one of three companies award contracts with NASA to send cargo to the ISS between 2019 and 2024 . It will also be able to tail into the blank station with immediate entree to passengers or cargo , as designate in the creative person ’s impression below .
It ’s relatively minor at about 9 meters ( 30 substructure ) from nose to tail , about a quarter of the size of the now - retired space shuttles . There are two var. of the quad plane . One is a man version that can transport up to seven crew members . The other will be capable to journey unmanned and can channelise up to 5,500 kilograms ( 12,120 pound ) of cargo , outgo NASA ’s current freight requirement .
Much like NASA ’s oldest infinite birdie , the Dream Chaser plunge vertically on a rocket and lands back down to Earth horizontally on a runway like a conventional airplane .
Sierra Nevada Corporation sound out that this fomite can be reused 15 clock time with 90 per centum factor reusability . As SpaceX ’s reclaimable Falcon 9 roquette are testament to , the use of reclaimable technology is dramatically cutting the price of place change of location . In theory , it can also be used for other project such as satellite service and outer space dust clean ups .
The last partially reclaimable spacecraft from NASA was the now - iconicfleet of Space Shuttle . These space shuttles fly at least 135 missions between 1981 and 2011 .
“ flee often , travel safely , country on ( most ) runways , and operate economically : such are the manoeuvre principles for 21st - century spaceplanes , cargo - express aerospace workhorses routinely launch to depleted - Earth domain for distance place resupply and bunch transfers , ” NASA pronounce in itsannouncement .
“ Fans disconsolate after the retirement of NASA ’s bird fleet can take heart : The next generation in reusable quad vehicles is adjust to debut . ”
