New Space Shuttle two years from flying

[IsaacNewton]

NASA's new space plane is getting ready to take flight

A new shuttle to carry cargo to and from the ISS is almost ready to go, flight tests have already begun. We are quickly entering a new age where even civilian space travel will become common place.

 

[Dekster]

Doesn't seem large enough to be anything more than a sky taxi.

 

[IsaacNewton]

Doesn't seem large enough to be anything more than a sky taxi.

From what I've read it will carry up to 5 tons (10,000 lbs) of cargo. The benefit is it can do a flight in a manner of hours from takeoff to landing. It will have a larger pressurized capacity than the retired Space Shuttles so can carry many passengers. And it can operate entirely unmanned, though I think the intent is to have a pilot.

I'm just happy to see the US get back into continuous manned space flight.

 

[Harry Dresden]

here is more.....
Dream Chaser: Sierra Nevada's Design for Spaceflight

 

[IsaacNewton]

here is more.....
Dream Chaser: Sierra Nevada's Design for Spaceflight

You have to like the name as well, the Dream Chaser. Much better than some sterile government name.

 

[Wyatt earp]

It's a frickin Cessna, and from another private manufacter ..

Which is good, but your title is misleading

 

[Dekster]

It's a frickin Cessna, and from another private manufacter ..

Which is good, but your title is misleading

Not even that since it still requires an Atlas rocket to reach space. I think the permanent space shuttle replacement plane is to come up with an orbiter that isn't just another glider.

 

[IsaacNewton]

It's a frickin Cessna, and from another private manufacter ..

Which is good, but your title is misleading

Not even that since it still requires an Atlas rocket to reach space. I think the permanent space shuttle replacement plane is to come up with an orbiter that isn't just another glider.

That is what SpaceX is working on, a booster than can return and land and be reused. That technology is ten years from being perfected though and a mini-cooper sized shuttle to ferry supplies and people back and for to the International Space Station is a great in between solution.

 

[Wyatt earp]

It's a frickin Cessna, and from another private manufacter ..

Which is good, but your title is misleading

Not even that since it still requires an Atlas rocket to reach space. I think the permanent space shuttle replacement plane is to come up with an orbiter that isn't just another glider.

That is what SpaceX is working on, a booster than can return and land and be reused. That technology is ten years from being perfected though and a mini-cooper sized shuttle to ferry supplies and people back and for to the International Space Station is a great in between solution.

To think my liberal friend, I wanted a death star, instead they give me a bi plane..

So disappointing ...

 

[Dekster]

It's a frickin Cessna, and from another private manufacter ..

Which is good, but your title is misleading

Not even that since it still requires an Atlas rocket to reach space. I think the permanent space shuttle replacement plane is to come up with an orbiter that isn't just another glider.

That is what SpaceX is working on, a booster than can return and land and be reused. That technology is ten years from being perfected though and a mini-cooper sized shuttle to ferry supplies and people back and for to the International Space Station is a great in between solution.

From what I have read over the years, NASA is more interested in something like the Virgin design. They want a vehicle that can actually fly under its own power for at least the reentry/landing--maintain flight and maneuver in the atmosphere for the added flexibility of being able to land in more places.