OHB awarded ESA contract for Dream Chaser® Spacecraft study

Bremen, December 5, 2018. OHB System AG, a subsidiary of space and technology group OHB SE, signed a contract with the European Space Agency (ESA) for a study to analyse the feasibility and opportunities to use Sierra Nevada Corporation’s (SNC) Dream Chaser spacecraft as a post-International Space Station (ISS) platform for European missions in low-Earth orbit (LEO). The study has an order value of 350,000 euros and runs for over a year. OHB is leading a consortium consisting of SNC and 4SPACE.

The Dream Chaser spacecraft is under development by SNC. It is a multi-mission space utility vehicle designed for transporting crew and cargo to LEO destinations such as the International Space Station. The Dream Chaser spacecraft was selected by NASA to provide a minimum of six cargo missions to and from the space station starting in late 2020 under the Commercial Resupply Service 2 (CRS-2) contract.

Over the last 20 years the ISS has represented an unparalleled capability in human spaceflight that is increasing knowledge of engineering and physical sciences, biology, the Earth, and the universe. However, sooner or later the end-of-life of the ISS is approaching. Transition plans for the ISS and LEO beyond the ISS utilisation as well as the transition to other platforms are under discussion by the international ISS partners.

The study team proposes to provide a full end-to-end LEO mission capability using the unique attributes of the Dream Chaser, compatibility with the Ariane 6 launch vehicle, and the ability to land on suitable runways in Europe. European Dream Chaser missions will offer the opportunity to fly various payloads to space, and return them.

Potential missions could be free-flying missions for scientific research, technology demonstrations, deep space exploration preparatory activities as well as service/logistics missions for other orbital platforms, including a more and more commercially operated ISS, or hybrid missions combining afore mentioned mission categories.

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4SPACE

Since 2005 4SPACE's staff and its network of independent consultants provide to European and international clients consultancy services in space science and technology. 4SPACE has a network of highly experienced professionals who are available on a project by project basis to 4SPACE and through 4SPACE, to its clients. Present Associate Consultants bring expertise in space systems engineering and missions, human spaceflight, habitats, sustainability, International Space Station utilisation, planetary science, space sciences, space life and physical sciences, including exobiology and the search for life, bibliometric assessments and human isolation and survival in space. Recent activities included definition of user requirements for LEO platforms post 2020. www.4spacetec.com

About Sierra Nevada Corporation 
Sierra Nevada Corporation (SNC) is a trusted leader in solving the world’s toughest challenges through advanced engineering technologies in Space Systems, Commercial Solutions, and National Security and Defense. Honored as one of the most innovative U.S. companies in space, SNC’s Space Systems business area designs and manufactures advanced spacecraft and satellite solutions, space habitats and environmental systems, propulsion systems, precision space mechanisms and subsystems, and SNC’s celebrated Dream Chaser® spacecraft. With 30 years of space heritage working with the U.S. government, commercial customers, and the international market, SNC has participated in more than 450 successful space missions and delivered 4,000+ systems, subsystems and components around the world. For more information, visit www.sncorp.com.