NASA's successor to the Space Shuttle completes tests over dry lake bed

It’s planned the Dream Chaser will be used to transport astronauts to the International Space Station. A trial version of the craft successfully ran through tests yesterday – assisted by an odd-looking helicopter.

By Daragh Brophy Friday 23 Aug 2013, 10:18 PM

Aug 23rd 2013, 10:18 PM 16,003 Views 31 Comments

http://jrnl.ie/1051797

DREAM CHASER – THE new spacecraft being developed by NASA to take astronauts to the International Space Station has successfully completed a series of tests in California’s Edwards Air Force Base.

During the 2-hour test, an air-crane helicopter picked up a test version of the Dream Chaser flight vehicle and flew it a distance of three miles over a dry lake bed, reaching heights of 12,400 feet.

According to NASA, “the spacecraft followed the projected path it will fly during future approach and landing tests at Dryden”.

Dream Chaser’s flight computer, along with its guidance, navigation and control systems were tested.

The landing gear and nose skid also were deployed during flight.

The vehicle is designed to carry seven people and land like a plane. Further tests flights are planned for later this year.

The new suborbital and orbital craft is being developed by the Sierra Nevada Corporation, in partnership with the US space agency.

(Youtube: NASAKennedy)

Read: Search operation continuing after helicopter crashes near Shetland >

Read: Drones are not just for spying – they spot ancient ruins too >

Short URL

About the author:

About the author

Daragh Brophy

daragh@thejournal.ie

See more articles by Daragh Brophy

Contribute to this story:

Send a Correction

COMMENTS (31)

∞

About Us

Corrections

Report Content

Policies

TheJournal.ie supports the work of the Press Council of Ireland and the Office of the Press Ombudsman, and our staff operate within the Code of Practice. You can obtain a copy of the Code, or contact the Council, at www.presscouncil.ie, PH: (01) 6489130, Lo-Call 1890 208 080 or email: info@presscouncil.ie

Please note that TheJournal.ie uses cookies to improve your experience and to provide services and advertising. For more information on cookies please refer to our cookies policy.

News images provided by Press Association and Photocall Ireland unless otherwise stated. Irish sport images provided by Inpho Photography unless otherwise stated. Wire service provided by Associated Press.

Journal Media does not control and is not responsible for user created content, posts, comments, submissions or preferences. Users are reminded that they are fully responsible for their own created content and their own posts, comments and submissions and fully and effectively warrant and indemnify Journal Media in relation to such content and their ability to make such content, posts, comments and submissions available. Journal Media does not control and is not responsible for the content of external websites.

NASA's successor to the Space Shuttle completes tests over dry lake bed

It’s planned the Dream Chaser will be used to transport astronauts to the International Space Station. A trial version of the craft successfully ran through tests yesterday – assisted by an odd-looking helicopter.

Read: Search operation continuing after helicopter crashes near Shetland >