spacetoday.net: Sierra Nevada calls Dream Chaser flight a success despite gear failure

Posted: Wed, Oct 30, 2013, 7:36 AM ET (1136 GMT)
Dream Chaser ETA first landing (SNC)

Sierra Nevada Corporation said Tuesday that Saturday's glide test of a prototype of its Dream Chaser spacecraft was largely a success despite the failure of a landing gear that caused the vehicle to skid off the runway after landing. Company vice president Mark Sirangelo said that Dream Chaser flew as planned during its one-minute glide after being released from a helicopter from an altitude of 3,800 meters above Edwards Air Force Base in California. The vehicle's flight was marred when the left landing gear failed to extend, apparently because of a mechanical issue with the gear. The vehicle skidded off the runway after landing, but Sirangelo said the vehicle suffered only minor damage. The company is investigating the gear failure and studying whether to repair the vehicle and make another drop test or move ahead with the next phase of vehicle development.