Keep the shuttle flying: Fwd: Dream Chaser test launch planned at KSC in 2016

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From: "Gary Johnson" <gjohnson144@comcast.net>
Date: January 24, 2014 1:23:45 PM CST
To: "Gary Johnson" <gjohnson144@comcast.net>
Subject: FW: Dream Chaser test launch planned at KSC in 2016

Sierra Nevada Corporation
Sierra Nevada News & Press Releases
SNC Announces First Orbital Flight of Dream Chaser®
Company Outlines Plans for its Flight Operations

Dream Chaser on an Atlas V. Credit: Sierra Nevada Corp.
Sparks, Nev., Jan. 23, 2014 – Sierra Nevada Corporation (SNC) announces that it has confirmed that the first orbital flight of its Dream Chaser® Space System will occur on November 1, 2016. Dream Chaser will be brought to orbit on a United Launch Alliance (ULA) Atlas V rocket that is being built in Decatur, Alabama and will launch from Cape Canaveral, Florida.
During SNC's press event at the John F. Kennedy Space Center (KSC), which was carried live on NASA TV, Mark N. Sirangelo, corporate vice president and head of Sierra Nevada Space Systems also unveiled the plans for Dream Chaser flight operations and vehicle processing in Florida through a detailed multi-part presentation.
Sirangelo started the announcement by saying, "SNC is thrilled to be the first company to confirm a launch date for our country's return to orbital human spaceflight and the restart of human spaceflight operations from Florida's Space Coast. We could not have done this without the spirit and engagement from our national and state governments, the best aerospace companies in the industry, and several major universities, which all hail from over 30 states. Together these passionate people will return our astronauts to space on American spacecraft and rockets launched from America's space coast right here in Florida."
"Today's announcement is the latest major milestone in the transformation of the Kennedy Space Center into a 21st century launch complex, serving both private sector and government users," said NASA Administrator Charles Bolden. "I salute Kennedy Space Center Director Bob Cabana for his leadership in transitioning the space coast for the future, and applaud Sierra Nevada Corporation on their decision to carry out their ground-breaking work at Kennedy."
"We have been diligent in our efforts, and I consider this a strong vote of confidence from a company that expects to be a major force in the future of human spaceflight," said Bob Cabana, Kennedy center director. "Sierra Nevada Corporation will find in our workforce and facilities the same dynamic and professional people that have made successful missions from here for more than 50 years." Cabana said SNC's involvement with the Florida spaceport shows the conversion to a 21st Century spaceport is succeeding, although work remains to keep the transformation on pace. Also joining in the press conference were:
Michael Gass, United Launch Alliance president and CEO
Frank DiBello, Space Florida president and CEO
Larry Price, Lockheed Martin Space Systems deputy program manager, NASA's Orion spacecraft
Steve Lindsey, Sierra Nevada Corporation senior director and Dream Chaser program manager
"We are honored that Sierra Nevada Corporation has reserved a proven Atlas V to launch its first flight test in 2016," said Michael Gass, United Launch Alliance president and CEO. "With 42 successful missions spanning a decade of operational service, the commercially-developed Atlas V is uniquely qualified to provide launch services for the Crew Transportation System. Because Atlas is already certified by NASA to fly the nation's most complex exploration missions, ULA is able to provide a wealth of flight data, design implementation, detailed system and sub-system analysis, qualification and certification documentation to support NASA certification of the Atlas V for human space flight."
In addition to confirming the launch, SNC also highlighted its plans to employ the Operations and Checkout (O&C) facility at NASA's KSC. The O&C facility will be used for both preparation of the reusable Dream Chaser spacecraft for its flights and post-mission testing for its next flight. The O&C is an historic facility for America's space program, which was originally built to process Gemini and Apollo era spacecraft. After significant upgrades by NASA and the State of Florida, it is currently being used by Lockheed Martin Space Systems to develop, assemble and test NASA's Orion spacecraft. James H. Crocker, Vice President and General Manager, Civil Space, Lockheed Martin Space Systems commented about the joint efforts, "The O&C is a state-of-the-art facility that will greatly enhance Dream Chaser's future operations through an innovative co-use plan with Orion. The result will maximize efficiency for both Dream Chaser and Orion and will provide continuity for our highly trained, motivated and certified workforce."
The third part of SNC's announcement underscored Dream Chaser's intended use of NASA's Shuttle Landing Facility (SLF). The SLF is an airport/spaceport located on Merritt Island in Brevard County, Fla. The SLF is part of KSC and was used by NASA's Space Shuttle for landing until the program's end in 2011. The facility is also used for takeoffs and landings for NASA training jets and civilian aircraft, such as the Shuttle Carrier Aircraft. Frank DiBello, CEO of Space Florida, provided his view, "Today's announcement by Sierra Nevada Corporation continues to verify a strong commercial interest in the SLF," said Space Florida President Frank DiBello. "It is clear that the future growth of commercial space is happening here in Florida and we couldn't be happier to work with SNC to realize their Florida-based expansion goals."
In closing, Steve Lindsey, SNC's senior director and Dream Chaser program manager, added his final thoughts, "I had the privilege of piloting and commanding five Space Shuttle flights as a NASA astronaut. This included the last flight of Discovery which was processed, launched, and on March 9, 2011, made its final landing at the SLF after 39 flights and 148 million space miles. Mark, the entire SNC Dream Chaser team, and I look forward to seeing Dream Chaser continue this legacy from Discovery when it flies in 2016."
About Sierra Nevada Corporation's Space Systems
Sierra Nevada Corporation's Space Systems business area based in Louisville, Colo., designs and manufactures advanced spacecraft, space vehicles, rocket motors and spacecraft subsystems and components for the US Government, commercial customers as well as for the international market. SNC's Space Systems has more than 25 years of space heritage and has participated in over 400 successful space missions through the delivery of over 4,000 systems, subsystems and components. During its history, SNC's Space Systems has concluded over 70 programs for NASA and over 50 other clients. For more information about SNC's Space Systems visit www.sncspace.com and follow us on Facebook at Sierra Nevada Corporation Space Systems.
Media Contact: SNCDreamChaser@sncorp.comor Krystal Scordo at 720-407-3192.
About Sierra Nevada Corporation
Sierra Nevada Corporation (SNC), headquartered in Sparks, Nev., is one of America's fastest growing private companies based on its significant expansion and reputation for rapid, innovative, and agile technology solutions in electronics, aerospace, avionics, space, propulsion, micro-satellite, aircraft, communications systems and solar energy. Under the leadership of CEO Fatih Ozmen and President Eren Ozmen, SNC has a workforce of over 3,000 personnel in 30 locations in 16 states. SNC's six unique business areas are dedicated to providing leading-edge solutions to SNC's dynamic customer base.
SNC is also the Top Woman-Owned Federal Contractor in the United States. Over the last 30 years under the Ozmen's leadership, 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 www.sncorp.com.
Media Contact: SNCDreamChaser@sncorp.comor Julie Ardito at 775-849-6968.

©1994-2013 Sierra Nevada Corporation. All Rights Reserved

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Dream Chaser test launch planned at KSC in 2016
Sierra Nevada's space plane to ride atop Atlas V
Jan. 23, 2014 11:17 PM |

Atlas V with Dream Chaser: ULA's animation shows how its Atlas V rocket might be used to loft the Sierra Nevada Dream Chaser.
Atlas V with Dream Chaser
Space taxi 'Dream Chaser' lifts off
Written by
James Dean
FLORIDA TODAY
Zoom
Sierra Nevada Corporation's Dream Chaser flight test vehicle is towed from its hangar at NASA's Dryden Flight Research Center in this file photo. / NASA
CAPE CANAVERAL — Hoping to pick up where the space shuttle left off, the maker of a mini-shuttle on Thursday announced plans to launch a test flight from the Space Coast in 2016, and to prepare the vehicle for flight in a historic Kennedy Space Center facility.
Sierra Nevada Corp. said it had entered into a contract with United Launch Alliance for a November 2016 launch of its Dream Chaser space plane atop an Atlas V rocket from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station.
"A little over two years from now, we're going to be taking this vehicle to space on board one of the best rockets to have ever been designed," said Mark Sirangelo, head of Colorado-based SNC Space Systems, during an afternoon news conference at KSC.
The plans could hinge on Sierra Nevada winning a NASA contract this summer to fly astronauts to the International Space Station starting in 2017, but Sirangelo would say only that he was committed to the launch.
"It is a confirmed launch date," he said. "It is a confirmed payment on the launch to the start the process."
Sierra Nevada became the first to announce a formal launch date of the three companies designing spacecraft in partnership with NASA's Commercial Crew Program, which is led from KSC.
The others, The Boeing Co. and SpaceX, also have said test launches are possible in 2016.
SpaceX would launch a Dragon capsule on its own Falcon 9 rocket, while Boeing plans to fly its CST-100 capsule on an Atlas V, both from the Space Coast.
NASA plans to award at least one contract by September to build and certify vehicles and start flights to the space station.
Based on a concept NASA created but dropped years ago, the Dream Chaser "lifting body" is the only non-capsule in contention.
Able to carry up to seven people, it measures nearly 30 feet in length with a 23-foot wingspan, compared to 122 feet and 78 feet for a shuttle orbiter.
"It's a very elegant look," Sirangelo said of an artist's rendering showing the Dream Chaser sitting atop an Atlas V at Launch Complex 41.
The Dream Chaser last October completed its first free flight in California after being dropped by a helicopter. The approach and landing test was considered a success despite a landing gear problem that caused the vehicle to skid off the runway.
In addition to the launch schedule, Sierra Nevada on Thursday announced plans to prepare the Dream Chaser for flight, and service it after landing, in KSC's Operations and Checkout Building, where Gemini and Apollo vehicles were tested and the center's astronaut crew quarters are housed.
Under a tentative partnership with Lockheed Martin Corp., the mini-shuttle would share space in the same high bay where Lockheed is now assembling NASA's Orion crew exploration capsule.
Lockheed is already a partner in the Dream Chaser program, building the composite structure of the first orbital version in New Orleans.
"With the ability to process multiple vehicles in the same facility (at KSC), we can sustain the work force and keep the proficiency up of the work force," said Larry Price, Lockheed's Orion deputy program manager.
Sirangelo said he expected the Dream Chaser program to add about 200 local jobs in the next few years, with suppliers also adding positions.
KSC Director Bob Cabana said the announcements showed "the faith that commercial industry has in KSC moving forward."
"It's a real positive, for not just NASA and our nation, but for the community here at KSC," he said. "We are on the right track. This is our year to really move forward and make things happen."
The Dream Chaser to be launched in 2016 would perform a multi-orbit flight and target a landing in California, to limit its unpiloted return over populated areas.
A second demonstration flight tentatively targeted for 2017 would send a two-person crew to the space station and plan to land on KSC's three-mile runway.
Steve Lindsey, manager of SNC's Dream Chaser program, is a former shuttle astronaut who landed Discovery's final mission on the same runway in March 2011.
On Thursday, looking at the plaque that marks where Discovery rolled to a stop for the last time, he realized it happened nearly three years ago.
"That is way, way too long," he said. "And we intend to do something about it, and we intend to do something about it very soon."
Contact Dean at 321-242-3668 or jdean@floridatoday.com.

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