Sierra Space Awarded Space Act Agreement with NASA

Sierra Space to work closely with NASA on key capabilities vital to unlocking the next generation of space travel.

Sierra Space, a leading, pure-play commercial space company building the first end-to-end business and technology platform in space, today was awarded a Space Act Agreement (SAA) by NASA under the second Collaborations for Commercial Space Capabilities (CCSC-2) initiative.

Through the agreement, Sierra Space will provide NASA with valuable insight and collaboration into its crewed Dream Chaser® spaceplane; new commercial space station architectures; and in-space logistics, refuelling and servicing systems. NASA will advance deployment of Sierra Space’s platform and ecosystem by providing access to facilities and support for environmental and crew systems testing, tools and software.

This SAA award by NASA provides support to a “pathfinder” space station, which serves as a technology demonstration for key elements of commercial space stations. Such demonstrations are vital steps to ultimately designing objects intended for sustained commercial habitation in orbit. The SAA is set to begin while the systems are in the design and development phases and last for five years – through on-orbit deployment later this decade.

Dream Chaser, the world's first commercial spaceplane from Sierra Space powers up

Sierra Space, a commercial space company building the first end-to-end business and technology platform in space, has advised of the successful power-up of its revolutionary Dream Chaser spaceplane.

Dream Chaser is said to represent a groundbreaking leap in space transportation technology, designed to provide reliable and cost-effective access to space for a wide range of applications. With its unique lifting body design, the spaceplane combines the flexibility of an aircraft with the capabilities of a spacecraft, revolutionizing space travel.

The power-up of Dream Chaser signifies the activation of its integrated systems, showcasing the culmination of years of rigorous engineering, design, and testing. Sierra Space simulated the power that will be generated from Dream Chaser’s solar arrays once on orbit. Test engineers plugged that power into Dream Chaser and began turning on systems. Sierra Space exercised flight computers, base processors and low-voltage distribution units.

Sierra Space and the United States Department of Defense Transportation Command to develop revolutionary high-mach systems for terrestrial point-to-point delivery

Sierra Space, a leading commercial space company at the forefront of creating and building the future of space transportation and infrastructure for low-Earth orbit (LEO) commercialization, announced today the signing of a Cooperative Research & Development Agreement (CRADA) with the United States Department of Defense’s Transportation Command (USTRANSCOM). The two organizations will work together to develop solutions using Sierra Space’s Dream Chaser® spaceplanes, Shooting Star™ cargo modules, and on-orbit infrastructure that provides unique capabilities for precise, cost-effective and timely global delivery of Department of Defense logistics and personnel.

Both parties will collaboratively explore space transportation as a new mode of point-to-point global terrestrial delivery of materiel and personnel, as an alternative and complement to traditional air, land and surface modes for Department of Defense global supply chains. Additionally, the agreement outlines plans to identify current capabilities and maturity of Sierra Space’s space transportation methods, as well as both observed and projected risks, benefits and additional research and development needed as a result.

Sierra Space and Spaceport America sign agreement on landing site for Dream Chaser

Sierra Space, a leading commercial space company at the forefront of creating and building the future of space transportation and infrastructure for low-Earth orbit (LEO) commercialization, and Spaceport America announced today the signing of a new Memorandum of Understanding (MOU). The agreement adds the world-class New Mexico spaceport to Sierra Space’s portfolio of potential global landing sites for its Dream Chaser, the world’s first and only winged commercial spaceplane.

Spaceport America, located in southern New Mexico, is the most recent addition to a growing list of compatible runways worldwide where the Dream Chaser could land, including the Shuttle Landing Facility (SLF) at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center and airports and landing sites in Huntsville, Alabama, Oita Airport, Japan, and Spaceport Cornwall in the United Kingdom.

Dream Chaser is a multi-mission space utility vehicle designed for transporting crew and cargo to and from LEO destinations, including the International Space Station (ISS). The spaceplane is currently under contract with NASA for seven commercial resupply missions to the ISS providing cargo delivery, return and waste disposal services. It is the only commercial spacecraft capable of low-g earth return to compatible commercial runways worldwide, allowing immediate access to high-value payloads. Dream Chaser is set to launch in 2023.

“Sierra Space is building the future of space – from transportation to commercial space destinations and all of the emerging applications – to develop a vibrant, growing and accessible commercial space economy,” said Sierra Space CEO, Tom Vice. “With that vision in mind, we are creating space-tech hubs within the commercial space ecosystem and adding Spaceport America as a prospective landing site for Dream Chaser to continue to open up affordable access to space for all.”

The new MOU outlines the two organizations’ mutual pursuit to increase Spaceport America’s capabilities and demand for Dream Chaser reentry at the spaceport. As a result, in line with their shared vision, both parties will pursue a Part 433 reentry site operator’s license for Spaceport America from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). Dream Chaser is currently under contract to perform cargo supply and return missions for NASA starting in 2023, delivering up to 12,000 pounds of cargo to the International Space Station (ISS) at a time.

“Spaceport America is enormously proud to combine efforts with Sierra Space,” added Scott McLaughlin, Executive Director of Spaceport America. “As a potential landing site for the Dream Chaser spaceplane, we will continue to open affordable access to space for all in the United States and the world. We are excited to expand the partnership and working relationship with Sierra Space. This MOU also helps highlight the vision for Spaceport America and to help connect other users of both the spaceport and the Dream Chaser to New Mexico.”

Sierra Space is a diamond-level sponsor of the Spaceport America Cup, the world’s largest intercollegiate rocket engineering competition. Additionally, Sierra Space president and former astronaut, Dr. Janet Kavandi, will deliver opening remarks at the event, which is set to take place June 21, 2022 to June 25, 2022.

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Sierra Space & Spirit AeroSystems form strategic partnership to introduce affordable space systems to the market

Sierra Space and Spirit AeroSystems, Inc. has announced the formation of a long-term strategic partnership intended to accelerate access to a vibrant commercial space economy of the future.

Spirit Defense & Space will assist in the development and production of future affordable Shooting Star Transport Vehicles under a Letter of Intent signed between the two companies. The agreement also provides for the two companies to work together to develop innovative technologies and processes to accelerate Sierra Space’s expanding Dream Chaser family of scalable spaceplanes to the market.

Sierra Space is a leading commercial space company at the forefront of creating and building the future of space transportation and infrastructure for low-Earth orbit commercialization. Using Sierra Space’s growing range of space transportation, infrastructure and associated technologies, the company intends to expand access to the space economy for other commercial entities and enable the discoveries and innovations of the future.

Spirit Defense & Space will work with Sierra Space to enhance accessibility and efficiency of the Sierra Space Shooting Star cargo module system to advance a family of cargo and service modules for on-orbit services. The collaboration combines the strength of Sierra Space’s advanced space technology expertise with Spirit AeroSystem’s renowned aerospace industrialization proficiencies. Visit Shooting Star Cargo Module to view a time-lapse of the first module’s construction.

“Through this long-term partnership, Sierra Space is delighted to begin work with Tom’s team at Spirit AeroSystems, widely recognized as leaders in the aerospace industry and aligned with our vision of an accessible and vibrant space economy,” said Sierra Space CEO, Tom Vice. “Working with Spirit Defense & Space, we will broaden access to tomorrow’s space economy; lowering the cost of entry and increasing the speed to market of Sierra Space’s Dream Chaser franchise. Together we will accelerate the commercialization of space.”

Space......."Dreams Worth Chasing"

Sierra Space has launched a new publicity campaign as part of its transformation plans called “Dreams Worth Chasing”.  This new initiative aims to honour those who have the courage to dream big dreams, the tenacity to chase their dreams even when others say it cannot be done, and those who achieved their big dreams and changed everything.

Sierra Space is a commercial space company trying to create and build the future of space transportation and infrastructure for low Earth orbit (LEO). Its commercialization Matthew Clarke, Senior Vice President of Marketing and Communications is leading this rebranding initiative.  “Our ‘Dreams Worth Chasing’ campaign and distinct brand identity will depict Sierra Space as an independent company, a leader in the fast-emerging and developing commercial space economy and a team focused on advancing humanity’s presence in space to benefit life on Earth,

The innovative work of the Sierra Space team and the resulting possibilities for our planet are an inspiration for any marketing and communications team and it is our privilege to share their story with the world.”

"Sierra Space is committed to empowering people and businesses to pursue humanity’s next great chapter,” said Tom Vice, Sierra Space CEO. “We are so pleased to have Matt join our senior leadership team during this inflexion point in time for Sierra Space, as we are poised for tremendous growth in this thrilling year ahead for our company.”

Following Sierra Space’s historic Series A $1.4 billion growth investment and $4.5 billion valuations from late last year, led by General Atlantic, Coatue and Moore Strategic Ventures, with participation from funds and accounts managed by BlackRock Private Equity Partners and AE Industrial Partners, Sierra Space’s new look signify a revamped drive to continue innovating, developing and commercializing space to make it affordable and accessible to all.

Sierra Space also recently outlined plans for an extensive recruitment drive that will nearly double its labor force and create 1,000 net new jobs in 2022 with the majority of positions being in Colorado and also distributed to other locations in Wisconsin, Florida and North Carolina.

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Sierra Space Hiring 1,000 New Employees

The 1,000 new positions will support the development of Dream Chaser, the world’s first commercial spaceplane

Sierra Space, a leading commercial space company has outlined plans for an extensive recruitment drive that will see the company significantly increase its headcount by nearly doubling its labour force and creating 1,000 net new jobs this year.

The majority of the positions will be in Colorado, with new roles distributed across the Sierra Space facilities in Louisville, Colo. and South Metro Denver. Sierra Space will also be increasing its workforce across the company’s other locations, including in Madison, Wis., Brevard County, Fla. and Durham, N.C., as work accelerates towards the launch of the Dream Chaser spaceplane.

At present, more than 700 new positions, including more than 400 in engineering, are listed on the company’s Careers webpage, with additional new job opportunities expected to be posted between now and mid-2022.