Sierra Space's Dream Chaser Passes Key Acoustic Test, Moves Toward First Mission
CAPE CANAVERAL, FL – Sierra Space’s Dream Chaser spaceplane, named Tenacity, has successfully completed critical acoustic testing at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The milestone verifies the spacecraft’s durability under the extreme noise and vibration conditions of a rocket launch.
Test Details
The evaluation was conducted inside the Space Systems Processing Facility (SSPF). To simulate the intense sound pressure of liftoff, engineers deployed an array of 90 stacked speakers to recreate the acoustic environment of a launch.
During the test, the spaceplane was configured with its wings folded, exactly as it will be housed inside a rocket fairing during ascent.
The procedure confirmed the structural integrity of the vehicle and the resilience of its onboard electronic systems.
Program Manager’s Statement
Dr. Dan Polis, Sierra Space's Dream Chaser program manager, emphasized the broader implications of the successful test.
"This result reinforces the spacecraft's potential for both civil and national security space operations," Dr. Polis stated. He highlighted that the vehicle’s ability to carry various payloads, its reusability, and its unique capability for runway landings make it particularly suitable for time-critical missions.
Background
The Dream Chaser program has already completed a rigorous series of environmental and operational tests, including:
- Electromagnetic interference testing
- High-speed ground tow trials
- Recovery rehearsals
- Communications demonstrations with NASA’s Tracking and Data Relay Satellite System (TDRSS)
Next Steps
Following the acoustic testing, the spaceplane has been returned to Sierra Space’s facility in Colorado for final upgrades tailored specifically to its first mission.
Dream Chaser's inaugural flight will support NASA’s Commercial Resupply Services-2 (CRS-2) program, delivering cargo to low-Earth orbit.