spacetoday.net: Sierra Nevada and Stratolaunch study new Dream Chaser launch option

Posted: Sat, Oct 4, 2014, 10:44 AM ET (1444 GMT)
Dream Chaser on Stratolauncher (SNC)

Sierra Nevada Corporation (SNC) and Stratolaunch Systems announced this week that they two companies have been studying developing a modified version of the Dream Chaser spacecraft that could fly on Stratolaunch's vehicle. In the proposal the two companies are considering, a version of Dream Chaser 75 percent the size of SNC's original design would be launched by Stratolaunch's air-launch system, carrying two or three people, or cargo, into orbit. The companies said the design is technically feasible, but no decision has been made to proceed with its development. Stratolaunch Systems, funded by Paul Allen, plans to make the first launch of its launch system in 2018, with test flights of the larger carrier aircraft slated to begin in 2016. SNC, which failed to win a NASA commercial crew award last month, is examining what it calls "strategic options" for the program while also filing a protest with the Government Accountability Office about the NASA awards.