spacetoday.net: SNC to partner with Europe on technology for Dream Chaser

Posted: Fri, Jan 10, 2014, 6:29 AM ET (1129 GMT)
Dream Chaser ETA first landing (SNC)

One of three US companies currently involved in NASA's commercial crew development effort announced this week plans to work with European agencies on ways to support that vehicle's development. Sierra Nevada Corporation (SNC) said Wednesday it has agreements in place with ESA and the German space agency DLR to examine ways those agencies could support SNC's work on its Dream Chaser vehicle, including various technologies developed in Europe that could enhance the Dream Chaser. The agreements are preliminary studies only, although SNC and the agencies said it could lead to later deals, up to potentially launching Dream Chaser vehicles on Ariane 5 rockets. SNC, along with Boeing and SpaceX, has funded agreements with NASA to support development of vehicles to transport astronauts to and from the ISS.