Sierra Nevada Corporation (Sierra Space) Dream Chaser

01 Feb 2026 · © Unknown

Dream Chaser is one of the world's only operational (or near operational) lifting body spaceplanes, a direct technological descendant of NASA HL-20. This particular vehicle appears to be the atmospheric test article or a structural demonstration mock-up. Displayed at a major air and space museum.

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Aircraft

Dream Chaser DC-100

Sierra Space Dream Chaser Demonstrator

Manufacturer

Sierra Nevada Corporation (Sierra Space)

Gear

iPhone

Insights

Aviation History

The Dream Chaser is the first commercial lifting body spaceplane intended for orbital resupply of the ISS and eventually crewed missions, reviving the concept after NASA’s Space Shuttle era.

Fleet Rarity

Extremely rare; only a handful of test/demo airframes exist and a small number of cargo models are in production.

Record Flights

Not yet flown in operational service as of early 2024 (first flight expected 2024); Demo vehicle performed runway drop tests and approach/landing.

Safety & Events

Known for successful atmospheric drop/glide tests at Edwards AFB; planned to fly uncrewed cargo missions to ISS under NASA CRS-2 contract.

Future Outlook

Maiden orbital flight targeted for 2024. Some demo/test airframes (like this one) preserved for display.

Specifications

Rocket engine (specific model varies by mission; details undisclosed on display article)

Engine

7.0 m

Wingspan

9.0 m

Length

Orbital (Low Earth Orbit, up to roughly 1000 km altitude)

Range

Mach 25 (orbital velocity; 28,000 km/h)

Speed

Up to 7 crew or equivalent cargo (up to 5,500 kg to ISS in cargo configuration)

Capacity

11,000 kg

MTOW

2.2 m

Height

Classified

Thrust

Not applicable (spacecraft; no ICAO rating)

Noise

The Dream Chaser is a spaceplane and not a conventional aircraft. Some parameters (e.g., thrust, noise rating) not applicable.