Sierra Space explores point-to-point terrestrial deliveries

Author: EIS Release Date: Sep 20, 2022

Sierra Space, the space plane specialist, has signed a Cooperative Research & Development Agreement (CRADA) with the United States Department of Defense’s Transportation Command (USTRANSCOM).

 

Sierra Space explores point-to-point terrestrial deliveries

 

The two organisations will work together to explore space transportation systems, as an alternative and complement to traditional air, land and surface modes of transportation.

 

According to the agreement, Sierra Space and the Department of Defence will develop the former’s Dream Chaser spaceplanes, Shooting Star cargo modules, and on-orbit infrastructure. This will be for the “precise, cost-effective and timely” point-to-point delivery of materiel and personnel.

 

 

“Through Dream Chaser, the world’s first commercial spaceplane, the Shooting Star cargo module and other projects, we are focused on providing unique ultra-high-speed, heavy payload solutions to the Department of Defense for logistics and personnel movement requirements,” said Sierra Space CEO Tom Vice.

 

“We plan to leverage these technologies to reach anywhere on the globe within three hours.”

 

Cornwall

Note that the US company – headquartered in Sparks, Nevada – signed a memorandum of understanding with Spaceport Cornwall in 2021, England’s horizontal launch Spaceport at Cornwall Airport Newquay.

 

The Dream Chaser (pictured above) is as a reusable, multi-mission space utility vehicle, capable of transportation services to and from low-Earth orbit. The parent company, Sierra Nevada Corporation, describes it as the only commercial, lifting-body vehicle capable of a runway landing.

 

The Dream Chaser Cargo System has also been selected by NASA to provide cargo delivery and disposal services to the International Space Station under a Commercial Resupply Services 2 (CRS-2) contract.