NASA and SierraSpace are advancing testing of the Dream Chaser spacecraft at the Neil Armstrong Test Facility, focusing on environmental simulations for upcoming missions to the International Space Station. After the test is completed, the spacecraft will go to the Kennedy Space Center for launch in 2024.

NASA and Sierra Space are making progress on the first flight of the company's Dream Chaser spacecraft to the International Space Station. As part of NASA's commercial resupply service, the unmanned cargo spacecraft is scheduled to launch a demonstration mission to the International Space Station in 2024. Source: Sierra Space

NASA and Sierra Space are preparing for the company's Dream Chaser spacecraft to fly to the International Space Station for the first time. The Dream Chaser and its accompanying cargo capsule, called Shooting Star, have arrived at NASA's Neil Armstrong Test Facility in Sandusky, Ohio, where they will begin environmental testing in mid-December ahead of a first flight scheduled for the first half of 2024.

The Neil Armstrong Test Facility is part of NASA's Glenn Research Center in Cleveland, which houses several test facilities, including the Space Environment Complex and the Space Propulsion Facility, both of which serve as Dream Chaser test stations. The Armstrong Research Center is home to the Mechanical Vibration Facility, which subjects test objects to rigorous launch conditions.

During Armstrong's time, the Dream Chaser winged spacecraft will be stacked on top of the Meteor cargo module on a vibration table to experience vibrations similar to those experienced during launch and re-entry into the Earth's atmosphere.

Following vibration testing, Dream Chaser will be transferred to a propulsion facility for thermal vacuum testing. Dream Chaser will be placed in a vacuum environment, exposed to low ambient pressure, low background temperatures and replicated dynamic solar radiation heating, simulating those the spacecraft will encounter during its mission. The facility is the only facility capable of testing full-scale final stages and rocket engines under simulated space conditions and conducting high-altitude hot fire tests.

After Armstrong completes the test, "Dream Chaser" will be transported to NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida for further launch preparations. It is currently scheduled to launch in the first half of 2024.

Compiled source: ScitechDaily