NASA Picks SpaceX Over ULA To Launch The Dream Chaser!
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The decision to pair Dream Chaser with the Vulcan Centaur rocket has been controversial from the start. Critics have argued that Vulcan rocket might not be the best choice for Dream Chaser for several reasons. First, the Vulcan rocket itself is still in development, and its timeline has been plagued by delays, partly due to supply chain issues and challenges in scaling up production of key components like the BE-4 engines, which are manufactured by Blue Origin. This uncertainty surrounding Vulcan’s readiness has raised concerns about whether it can meet the requirements for national security payloads and other critical missions.
Furthermore, there have been rumors and speculations about the future of ULA as a company. Some industry insiders have suggested that ULA may be looking to sell off its assets or merge with another aerospace company. This potential instability has fueled doubts about whether ULA can provide the long-term support that Dream Chaser and other spacecraft will need. The concern is that if ULA undergoes significant corporate restructuring or ownership changes, the reliability and availability of the Vulcan rocket could be compromised.
Despite the setback, Sierra Space remains optimistic about Dream Chaser’s future. The first spacecraft, named “Tenacity,” is still expected to launch, though the mission has been pushed to 2025. After passing important tests, Tenacity has been moved to Florida for final preparations.
However, the initial plan to launch Dream Chaser with the Vulcan Centaur rocket now seems more uncertain.
One potential solution is a partnership with SpaceX’s rockets. Although Dream Chaser was originally designed to work with different rockets, including SpaceX’s Falcon 9, the spacecraft’s weight has increased due to the addition of the Shooting Star cargo module. This makes Falcon 9 less suitable, leading Sierra Space to consider other options, such as the more powerful Falcon Heavy.
Falcon Heavy has a strong track record for reliability and could be a suitable option for launching Dream Chaser. However, Falcon Heavy does not launch as frequently as Falcon 9, which could lead to further delays. If timing is less critical, Sierra Space might also consider the Starship, a spacecraft designed to carry much larger payloads.
Given the challenges faced by companies like Boeing, Sierra Space, and United Launch Alliances it’s hard not to appreciate the immense success of SpaceX. What’s even more impressive is that SpaceX develops nearly everything they need in-house, from engines to spacecraft. In contrast, other companies often rely heavily on third-party suppliers. For example, Boeing’s Starliner has faced delays and technical issues, and it depends on components from various sources. Similarly, Sierra Space’s Dream Chaser relies on united launch alliance’s Vulcan Centaur rocket for its launches, and even Vulcan’s engines are provided by Blue Origin, another external supplier.
SpaceX’s decision to build everything in-house, including their engines, was initially met with skepticism. Many suggested they could have accelerated their development by sourcing ready-made components from other companies. However, looking at the struggles faced by other companies that took that route, it’s clear why SpaceX’s strategy was the right one. By controlling every aspect of their production, SpaceX has not only maintained high quality and reliability but has also been able to innovate rapidly.
This approach has allowed SpaceX to achieve remarkable milestones. Despite receiving receiving $2.6 billion compared to Boeing’s $4.2 billion—SpaceX delivered on its promises years ahead of Boeing. Their Crew Dragon spacecraft has been successfully ferrying astronauts to and from the International Space Station since 2020, while Boeing’s Starliner is still facing big challenges particularly disastrous recent crewed flight.
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