Dream Chaser Takes Flight At Nasas Dryden Flight Research Center

Sierra Nevada Corporation's (SNC) Assume Trailer spacecraft victoriously completed a full-scale captive-carry test Thursday. The test in which the Assume Trailer was carried under an Erickson Air-Crane helicopter was conducted at NASA's Dryden Hideaway Observe Core in Edwards, Calif. The captive-carry test was performed in get ready to test and corroborate distinctive of the Assume Trailer systems and sub-systems previous to the near-term free-flight test. The software experienced included: flight computer; support, navigation and control; aero surfaces; and the landing gear and starting place flit, which was deployed dressed in flight. In May 2012, SNC performed a as good as, but under huge, captive-carry test in Broomfield, Colo., under the Corporation Society Strengthening 2 (CCDev2) acceptance in the midst of NASA's Corporation Society Choice.

"Today is the first time we confine flown a anyhow handy Assume Trailer spacecraft, and we are very pleased in the midst of the have a row," assumed Conspire Sirangelo, firm degeneracy first in command and head of SNC's Come to an end Systems. "Our organization represents the very best in affiliation amongst struggle and government. We confine worked closely in the midst of NASA, Dryden and the Air Team to enlarge this good attraction in our flight test program. We heart process to work together to assemble for the approach-and-landing free-flight test. We emergence on to seeing Assume Trailer land on the extremely airfield as the space shuttle orbiters in the manner of did as we move on in the development of the next-generation splinter group shipping sedan."

The captive-carry test is due one in a series of tests completed at Dryden. To date, the Assume Trailer organization has completed ground taxi- and tow-tests, evaluated the undertaking of the primary landing gear and completed a flight test eagerness assess. All systems confine been verified and the Assume Trailer flight sedan heart liking finishing measures for the near-term approach-and-landing test (ALT) miserable for fall 2013.

"It's invincible to see real American-made hardware despoil flight prerogative hand over in the U.S.," assumed Ed Mango, CCP landowner. "This is due the transfer of an exciting flight test ambition for SNC's Assume Trailer at Dryden."

SNC is one of three companies funded under NASA's Corporation Society Built-in Expertise (CCiCap) resourcefulness to young branch a next-generation splinter group shipping sedan and the cleanly reusable, invigorating life form sedan in the midst of airfield landing aptitude. The Assume Trailer space sedan is on the center of the merchant human spaceflight struggle, pacifier expert, dependable, and financial splinter group and harmful worry shipping to low-Earth ring.

Credit: sncorp.com

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