Sierra Nevada News & Press Releases

Sierra Nevada’s Dream Chaser Space System featured on Discovery Channel

Sparks, NV – March 18th, 2011 – Sierra Nevada Corporation is reporting that its Space Systems completed the final major test in the first phase of NASA’s Commercial Crew Development Program (CCDev1) in December 2010. SNC received the largest award in CCDev1 funds last year to advance its Dream Chaser Orbital Space System. SNC has completed all milestones, including the completion of the tooling necessary to build the first flight vehicle, the successful firing of the Dream Chaser rocket motors that will be used for flight, as well as the structural testing of the core structure of the first vehicle. SNC not only completed the scheduled milestones on time but, at its own cost, actually did more work than it committed to do within budget. An additional objective was completed when SNC, working with the NASA Dryden Flight Center in California and the University of Colorado, conducted a drop test of a scaled version of the Dream Chaser from over 14,000 feet which signaled the beginning of the atmospheric flight test program for the vehicle. This successful milestone was featured on the Discovery Channel’s Daily Planet on February 28th, 2011. To view the Daily Planet segment of the Dream Chaser’s flight test please select the link below.

http://watch.discoverychannel.ca/daily-planet/february-2011/daily-planet---february-28-2011/#clip425813

The flight test of the Dream Chaser is a unique example of a collaborative effort with the higher education system. SNC’s team involves not only the government and the commercial sector, but also the University of Colorado at Boulder. SNC’s coupling of the expertise and experience of NASA, SNC’s Space Systems and its business partners with the educational power of the CU Aerospace Engineering faculty and students has created a highly productive environment for technological space innovation.

“We are extremely pleased to be working with NASA in the development of our Dream Chaser Orbital Space Vehicle,” said Mark N. Sirangelo, head of Sierra Nevada’s Space Systems. “The extensive knowledge, terrific support and expertise NASA is providing has enabled us to advance our program significantly. We are now ahead of schedule and in production of our first flight vehicle because of NASA and the CCDEV program.”

 About The Dream Chaser
The Dream Chaser is a piloted lifting body spacecraft based on NASA’s HL-20 crew vehicle, with a strong development heritage.  It will launch on an existing United Launch Alliance Atlas V launch vehicle, and will have on-board propulsion utilizing SNC’s proprietary hybrid rocket motor technology.  It is a piloted spacecraft which will carry a crew of seven and critical cargo to the International Space Station as well as other low Earth orbit destinations, and return crew and fragile experiments to a gentle runway landing.  The combination of NASA heritage and proven technology will enable SNC’s unique space transportation system to effectively and reliably carry crew and cargo to orbital destinations. 

About Sierra Nevada Corporation
SNC is ranked in the top 10 among America’s fastest growing private companies based on its significant growth and reputation for rapid, innovative, and agile technology solutions in electronics, aerospace, avionics, space, propulsion, micro-satellite, aircraft, communications systems and solar energy. Founded in 1963, SNC’s seven unique business areas employ over 2100 people in 29 different locations in 15 states – all of whom are dedicated to providing leading-edge solutions to SNC’s dynamic customer base.

SNC has earned the Top Woman-Owned Federal Contractor status in the United States based on its size and significant achievements. Over its approximately 50 years of history, SNC has remained focused on providing its customers the very best in diversified technologies to meet their needs and has a strong and proven track record of success. The company continues to focus its growth on the commercial sector through internal advancements and outside acquisitions, including the emerging markets of renewable energy, telemedicine, nanotechnology, cyber and net-centric operations. For more information on SNC visit http://www.sncorp.com/