Sierra Nevada Reserves Atlas Rocket for Dream Chaser Test Flight

摘要

Privately owned Sierra Nevada Corp., one of three firms vying for what is expected to be the final round of NASA funding to develop commercial space taxis, has reserved an Atlas 5 rocket launch for a 2016 unmanned orbital test flight, the company said Jan. 23. Terms of the deal were not disclosed, but Corporate Vice President Mark Sirangelo said Sierra Nevada will go ahead with the first orbital test flight of its Dream Chaser spaceplane in November 2016 whether or not his firm wins a Commercial Crew Transportation Capability Contract (CCtCAP). NASA's solicitation for proposals closed Jan. 22.