Sierra Space Completes Acoustic Testing of the Dream Chaser Tenacity Spaceplane
Spaceplanes (even uncrewed) have made a "comeback" since the end of the Space Shuttle program in 2011. Several models are currently under development while two are operational: the Boeing X-37B and Shenlong, for the USA and China, respectively. The ESA is keenly looking at the Space Rider solution (not exactly a spaceplane), while AVIC Chengdu may soon launch HaoLong to resupply the Chinese space station, and ISRO is conducting tests on the Pushpak spaceplane. Recently, United States' Sierra Space had not provided updates for a while about the Dream Chaser Tenacity spaceplane. The situation changed in the past few days.
According to reports from the company, the Dream Chaser Tenacity has successfully passed the acoustic tests for the first operational sample of the reusable spaceplane. The testing campaign was conducted at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. This is a crucial step towards the inaugural flight in low Earth orbit as part of the Commercial Resupply Services-2 (CRS‑2) program dedicated to the International Space Station.
Sierra Space has completed a new test for the Dream Chaser spaceplane. The acoustic tests are designed to verify the vehicle's (in this case, a spaceplane but can also be employed for satellites, space probes, and lunar landers) resistance to the intense vibrations generated by sound waves during a rocket launch. To reproduce these conditions, 90 speakers were used at the NASA center, capable of generating a sound environment comparable to that experienced inside the fairings of a launch vehicle during liftoff.
As seen in the image, Sierra Space's Dream Chaser (named Tenacity) was positioned at the center of the facility with its wings folded, replicating the actual configuration inside the 5-meter fairings. The positive outcome of the test confirmed the robustness of critical electronic systems and the structural integrity of the vehicle. Dan Polis (Dream Chaser program manager and vice president of engineering at Sierra Space) stated that this vehicle represents "a revolutionary capability for civil and national security space operations." This model allows for space for pressurized and non-pressurized payloads. Another key point is its reusability thanks to runway landings instead of water landings or land landings like capsules.
Dream Chaser has completed other tests in the past. The spaceplane has passed EMI/EMC tests for electromagnetic compatibility, high-speed towing tests, and a post-landing recovery simulation. Other tests included telemetry and command transmission along with tracking via NASA systems.
Despite these advancements, Sierra Space is significantly behind in achieving the operational status of Dream Chaser considering that the ISS will end its operational life between 2030 and 2032. Resupply missions are being assigned, and there may not be any more useful ones for the spaceplane (other than test flights). Additionally, Sierra Space is also engaged in the construction of the Orbital Reef space station along with Blue Origin, but there are, again, doubts about the company’s ability to fulfill its promises.