Dream Chaser Completes Ground Tow Tests [Watch], Sierra Nevada Corporation
“Sierra Nevada Corporation (SNC) announces the completion of the Dream Chaser Space System tow testing at NASA’s Dryden Flight Research Center in Edwards, Calif. The ground tow tests were conducted in preparation for the upcoming approach and landing test scheduled for the third quarter 2013.”
“We are very excited to complete this series of tests and achieve another critical milestone for our Dream Chaser flight test program,” said Steve Lindsey, SNC’s Space Systems senior director of programs and former NASA astronaut. “Watching Dream Chaser undergo tow testing on the same runway where we landed several space shuttle orbiters brings a great amount of pride to our Dream Chaser team. We are another step closer to restoring America’s capability to return U.S. astronauts to the International Space Station.”

7 replies on “Another Milestone for SNC's Dream Chaser”

  1. I hope that nose skid works as well at touch down speed of 200mph. No steering. Head off the runway and that is it.

    1. I would think they would be able to steer Dream Chaser with differential braking on the main gear, but I haven’t found anything that confirms that capability.

      1. Braking will probably work for awhile. They will keep the nose up as long as possible. Rudders will do the steering. They are using a computer to make quick corrections. When the nose touches down it may not work. The skid touchdown speed may be low enough that it does not matter and stops quickly from the drag. 60 mph seems to low. They may be testing for the glider version. What damage will it do to the runway?
        I am worried about what happened to the 6 million dollar man. Same type. Every landing I will think about that.

  2. Somehow I think NASA wants this bird as a finalist. So who gets the short straw .. SpaceX or Boeing?

    1. Probably Boeing, which has managed to contain its enthusiasm for the program, and is said to be ready to turn off its effort at a moment’s notice.

  3. Isn’t the skid going to throw ground debris up into the thermal protection tiles? Not good, if so.

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