"Sierra Space's Cutting-Edge Measures Safeguard Dream Chaser, America's Next Space Plane"
Sierra Space is developing Dream Chaser, a commercial spaceplane based on a NASA design, to bring back experiments and equipment from the International Space Station (ISS) through Earth's atmosphere for a runway landing. The vehicle is covered with over 2,000 individual tiles, larger and stronger than those used on the space shuttle, providing thermal protection and temperature regulation. Dream Chaser will fly under NASA's Commercial Resupply Services-2 contract, with plans for multiple cargo missions to the ISS. It features foldable wings and will launch atop United Launch Alliance's Vulcan rocket. The vehicle can carry up to 5 metric tons of pressurized cargo and has the ability to bring experiments and equipment back to Earth, landing on conventional runways.