Dream Chaser Tenacity
Uncrewed cargo spaceplane built by Sierra Space
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Dream Chaser Tenacity (DC101) is the first Dream Chaser spacecraft expected to fly in space. Manufactured by the Sierra Nevada Corporation, it will first fly to the International Space Station as part of the SSC Demo-1 mission in late 2026 under the CRS-2 contract.[1]
| Tenacity | |
|---|---|
Tenacity and its cargo module undergoing testing at NASA's Neil Armstrong Test Facility | |
| Type | Lifting body spaceplane |
| Serial no. | DC101 |
| Owner | Sierra Nevada Corporation |
| Manufacturer | Sierra Nevada Corporation |
| Specifications | |
| Power | Solar panels |
| Rocket | Vulcan Centaur |
| History | |
| First flight |
|
| Dream Chasers | |
Background
The Sierra Nevada Corporation was awarded a CRS-2 contract for by NASA for six operational resupply spaceflights to the International Space Station. SSC Demo-1 is a demo flight that will precede the operational resupply flights if the mission is successful.[2]
Tenacity and other Dream Chasers will be mated with a Shooting Star module, which will provide an additional 10,000 lb (4,500 kg) of payload capacity, in addition to the 2,000 lb (910 kg) carried by the spaceplane. The module will be separated from the Dream Chaser prior to reentry and burn up in the atmosphere, while the Dream Chaser vehicle will perform a runway landing to be reused.[3]
Status
In 2023, Tenacity was still under development. Overall, the spacecraft's structure was largely complete, but it was still being prepared for the mission.[4]
By 2024, the spacecraft and its Shooting Star module were stacked and undergoing vibration and acoustics tests at NASA's Neil Armstrong Test Facility. Additionally, the Vulcan Centaur rocket that will carry it had its maiden flight in 8 January 2024, paving the way for Tenacity's first launch.[5] In April 2024, it was reported that Tenacity would soon be arriving at Kennedy Space Center.[6]
In October 2024, the first flight of Tenacity, SSC Demo-1, was planned to dock at the ISS in the third quarter of 2025.[7] In September 2025, this flight was delayed to late 2026 and will no longer dock at the ISS.[1]
Name
The Sierra Space team named its first orbit-capable Dream Chaser Tenacity as a tribute to all the years of hard work they undertook for the spacecraft to reach its maiden flight.[5]
Flights
| Mission | Launch date | Duration | Landing date | Description | Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SSC Demo-1 | NET Late 2026[1] | 45 days (planned) | NET Late 2026 (planned) | First Dream Chaser demonstration flight, originally planned to visit the ISS, now a free flying flight. | Planned |