In December 2023, Tom Vice, then the CEO of Sierra Space, shared his vision for a safer, greener fuel system for the Dream Chaser spacecraft. Unlike traditional hypergolic fuels, which require special handling, Sierra aimed to develop a propulsion system that would allow for a safer landing without hazmat suits. He acknowledged that achieving this has been challenging.
Progress is ongoing. As noted by Heidi Weigel, an executive at Sierra, the team is still in the process of finalizing tests and safety reviews for the propulsion system. They are currently adjusting their timelines to assess where they stand in the certification process.
A potential change to the mission could impact its initial flight. Originally, Dream Chaser was set to approach the International Space Station (ISS) for berthing. However, Sierra is now considering a flyby instead, which would allow them to test critical systems without actually docking. This adjustment could speed up their certification process and provide valuable data for NASA and its partners, but it requires renegotiating their contract with NASA.
The Dream Chaser’s debut flight this year is looking increasingly unlikely. One of the obstacles is the availability of the Vulcan launch vehicle. After multiple delays, Vulcan is finally poised for its first national security launch. If all goes well, it will be busy in the upcoming months, leaving uncertain when it will be available for Dream Chaser, which had initially been scheduled for Vulcan’s second flight.
In the broader picture, space exploration companies are under ever-increasing pressure to ensure safety while innovating. According to a recent survey by the Space Safety Coalition, 76% of space professionals believe that safety remains the top priority for future missions. As space missions continue to advance, these challenges demonstrate the importance of thorough testing and safety protocols.
In the end, while Dream Chaser’s flight might face delays, these challenges are part of a larger trend in the aerospace industry towards greater safety and sustainability.
