As the U.S. military seeks ways to make their operations more efficient, they’re beginning developments on the new Dream Chaser Spacecraft. This space plane will change the way the military transports their cargo from the ground to outer space. The Dream Chaser space plane will expedite operations for military personnel in space, which is more important than ever since the United States is in pursuit of maintaining their dominance in military space developments and space exploration. Suggested read:Discover the E-4B Nightwatch: The USAF's "Doomsday Plane"

What Is the Dream Chaser Spacecraft?

The Dream Chaser Spacecraft is an American spacecraft built to “transport crew and cargo to low-Earth orbit (LEO) destinations like the International Space Station (ISS).” This reusable commercial space plane was developed by the Sierra Nevada Corporation (SNC) to “carry both pressurized and unpressurized cargo.” The Dream Chaser spacecraft has been extremely successful and beneficial to the United States military. Sierra Space, the developers of the spacecraft under the SNC umbrella, signed an agreement with the United States Department of Defense Transportation Command for the Dream Chaser space plane to make “point-to-point” space shipments within three hours. The Sierra Space Dream Chaser will allow the military to have a more collaborative experience as it offers space exploration as a new way to execute on terrestrial delivery of materiel and personnel. It’s promising as a more efficient solution to land, air, and surface supply chains. The military has “signed agreements in recent months for their future point-to-point transportation needs.” This would include military cargo and humanitarian equipment. The Dream Chaser spacecraft has already been through many test flights. Its main non-military goal is to send cargo shipments for NASA, including resupply missions for the International Space Station. The U.S. military has discussed ways to alleviate some of the challenges that they’ve had for high-speed space deliveries for the past three years. Some of these concerns included the “weight, volume, and restrictions in launch operations and recovery.” However, this NASA Dream Chaser space plane looks promising and currently has the potential to solve all of those concerns.

What Are the Dream Chaser Spacecraft’s Capabilities?

The Dream Chaser NASA spacecraft is capable of making important missions successful through its advanced capabilities and modern design. Some of these capabilities include:

• “Gentle 1.5G runway landings, ideal for precious cargo, especially human passengers.
• Accommodates more than 12,000 pounds of supplies and equipment.
• NASA resupply missions for the International Space Station (ISS) begin in 2023.
• Configuration intended for up to seven crew members, plus critical supplies.
• Compatible with a wide array of current and future launch vehicles.”

How Will It Help the Military?

For the U.S. military, it would be able to transport cargo within three hours. It would mean less wait and travel time for supplies and equipment for the U.S. military to be delivered to crews in low-Earth orbits. The SNC Dream Chaser spacecraft could also bring military personnel to space, and it opens up the opportunity for commercial space travel in the future, should the craft prove successful. The U.S. Air Force has shown their interest in space vehicles to “supplement traditional air, land and surface transportation modes.” These space vehicles could also support “non-combat activities such as humanitarian relief operations and medical missions.” The first official Dream Chaser launch date is set for 2023. The spacecraft is currently under construction in Louisville, Colorado, and once it’s completed, the Dream Chaser will begin immediately “flying a series of NASA cargo resupply missions to the International Space Station.”

Inching Toward Dominance One Launch at a Time

The future is looking very bright for the Department of Defense, as the upcoming Dream Chaser launch will definitely change the course of how important military gear gets from point A to point B. Given the short three-hour delivery time, the possibilities are endless. Having the Dream Chaser Spacecraft underway and in construction puts the United States one step closer to ultimate military space dominance. Check this one out:It’s a Bird...no, but It Is a Plane and a Hospital! Meet the C-17

Image: sierraspace.com