SPARKS, Nev., December 23, 2013 – Sierra Nevada Corporation (SNC) announces the successful completion of the second Dream Chaser® Space System (DCSS) Integrated Systems Safety Analysis Review, marking the company’s completion of NASA’s Commercial Crew Integrated Capability (CCiCap) initiative Milestone six. This critical safety review evaluated not only the Dream Chaser spacecraft, but also the launch vehicle, vehicle integration and the ground and mission systems, which comprise the entire DCSS.
Milestone six represents a major step forward in the maturation of the systems safety and reliability analysis, which is critical to achieving a safe and effective design of the DCSS. During the milestone review, SNC provided NASA with significant and detailed systems safety analysis products including hazard analysis and failure tolerance analysis of the entire DCSS.
“Our Dream Team, which includes our strategic industry partners, noted universities and NASA centers around the country, is making significant strides to prepare the Dream Chaser Space System for its first orbital flight,” said Mark N. Sirangelo, corporate vice president and head of SNC’s Space Systems. “The completion of this safety milestone is a vital program and developmental achievement that advances the program considerably. By successfully passing two critical cornerstone safety milestones in 2013, we have established a path for the Dream Chaser to safely transport U.S. astronauts to and from low-Earth orbit.”
Dream Chaser builds on NASA’s extensive human spaceflight heritage by adopting key lessons learned from programs such as Apollo, the space shuttle, the International Space Station, and Constellation, in the design and operations of the DCSS.
The first DCSS Integrated Systems Safety Analysis Review was held in early 2013, providing NASA its first look at the DCSS safety and reliability analysis products. Since that time, SNC has worked closely with NASA to find opportunities for improvement, and has made significant updates to the design of the vehicle aimed at improving safety and reliability.
"It is very exciting to see SNC incorporating NASA's lessons learned throughout the past 50 years to ensure our astronauts are able to fly safely to and from low-Earth orbit," said Kathy Lueders, acting manager of NASA's Commercial Crew Program. "SNC, like all of our partners, has found innovative ways to make spaceflight safer."
SNC is working with NASA’s Commercial Crew Program to develop a next-generation crew transportation vehicle. Dream Chaser is the only reusable, lifting-body human spacecraft with a commercial runway landing capability, anywhere in the world. The Dream Chaser spacecraft is on the forefront of the commercial human spaceflight industry, offering safe, reliable and cost-effective crew and critical cargo transportation to low-Earth orbit.
About Sierra Nevada Corporation’s Space Systems
Sierra Nevada Corporation’s Space Systems business area based in Louisville, Colo., designs and manufactures advanced spacecraft, space vehicles, rocket motors and spacecraft subsystems and components for the U.S. Government, commercial customers as well as for the international market. SNC’s Space Systems has more than 25 years of space heritage and has participated in over 400 successful space missions through the delivery of over 4,000 systems, subsystems and components. During its history, SNC’s Space Systems has concluded over 70 programs for NASA and over 50 other clients. For more information about SNC’s Space Systems visit www.sncspace.com.
About Sierra Nevada Corporation
Sierra Nevada Corporation (SNC), headquartered in Sparks, Nev., is one of America’s fastest growing private companies based on its significant expansion and reputation for rapid, innovative, and agile technology solutions in electronics, aerospace, avionics, space, propulsion, micro-satellite, aircraft, communications systems and solar energy. Under the leadership of CEO Fatih Ozmen and President Eren Ozmen, SNC employs over 2,600 people in 30 locations in 16 states. SNC’s six unique business areas are dedicated to providing leading-edge solutions to SNC’s dynamic customer base.
SNC is also the Top Woman-Owned Federal Contractor in the United States. Over the last 30 years under the Ozmen’s leadership, SNC has remained focused on providing its customers the very best in diversified technologies to meet their needs and has a strong and proven track record of success. The company continues to focus its growth on the commercial sector through internal advancements and outside acquisitions, including the emerging markets of renewable energy, telemedicine, nanotechnology, cyber and net-centric operations. For more information on SNC visit www.sncorp.com.