Sierra Space's Dream Chaser

The Dream Chaser is a revolutionary reusable spacecraft from Terra Space that will supply the ISS and open up a new frontier of flexible, affordable access to low-Earth orbit. Dream Chaser-from Sierra Space, the leading commercial space company-provides autonomous launch, flight, and landing for reliable cargo transport and return. It combines the capability of space with the adaptability of an airplane.

Ghost Spacecraft Features

TheGhost Spacecraft will be unique in the orbital logistics world due to a variety of new features it introduces. It's capable of prestaging supplies for fast deployment to Earth1 on five-year on-orbit life. Critical materials will be delivered safely due to the system deploying a decelerator that would protect its payloads during re-entry.

Ghost can land within 100 meters of a specified target, thanks to its accurate delivery capabilities.

1. 150 kilograms is the current payload capacity.Delivery time to any point on Earth: less than 90 minutes
2. Rudder for a controlled descent is the steering mechanism.
3. Small-sized design: Effectively stows during launch and deploys in orbit
4. Adaptive thermal protection system - it protects cargo from heating during re-entry.

Upcoming Developments:

The Ghost's improvement will be seen in the operational infrastructure, improvement of communication systems, and enhancement of data recording capability. 1. Working with the FAA to resolve reentry license issues, Sierra Space is well-placed to become a leader in space mobility and logistics. Future experiments will firm up its function in space operations for national security by honing the system's capability. It is a collaboration that was founded in September 2022, with the aim of providing solutions using Sierra Space's wider portfolio of space planes called Dream Chaser and cargo modules named Shooting Star with the Transportation Command of the U.S. Department of Defense.

Starliner is Back to Earth

On September 6, 2024, Boeing's Starliner spaceship made a successful return to Earth, touching down in New Mexico following the completion of its Crew Flight Test mission to the International Space Station. However, because to technical difficulties experienced during the trip, the capsule returned without its intended crew, as reported by NASA. This represents both a significant achievement and a setback for Boeing's space program.

 

Starliner Crew Flight Test

Starliner's first crewed journey to the International Space Station (ISS) was the Crew Flight Test (CFT) mission, which commenced on June 5, 2024. Initially intended to be a one-week stay, NASA astronauts Barry "Butch" Wilmore and Sunita "Suni" Williams launched into the spacecraft. Technical difficulties, however, caused the mission to be extended to three months, giving NASA and Boeing more time to test and evaluate the spacecraft's performance.

 

Technical Challenges Faced

Starliner had a number of technical issues during the journey, which finally prompted NASA to decide to return the spacecraft without its crew. Problems arose during the first attempt to dock with the International Space Station (ISS1) when five of the 28 reaction control system (RCS) thrusters failed soon after liftoff. The propulsion pressurization system of the service module also had several helium leaks found in it.NASA decided to prolong the mission due to these issues, which allowed for in-depth investigation and troubleshooting. NASA finally concluded that returning the astronauts on Starliner posed an intolerable safety risk, despite efforts to address the problems, including bringing four of the five malfunctioning thrusters back online.

Future Starliner Missions

As Boeing and NASA examine the results from the Crew Flight Test flight, the Starliner program's future moves are still up in the air. Rescheduled from February 2025 to August 2025 at the latest is Starliner-1, the first operational crewed flight. With experts working to resolve the technical problems encountered during the test flight, this schedule can, however, be further delayed. NASA hasn't ruled out the prospect of needing more testing or perhaps an unmanned trip before authorizing Starliner for routine astronaut transportation to the International Space Station. Notwithstanding the obstacles, the agency reaffirms its dedication to the Boeing collaboration and stresses the value of having various crew launch systems.