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Just the first of many major "NewSpace" items to come from this weeks Space Symposium in Colorado Springs. Tongues will be wagging at NASA because SpaceDev has massively updated the NASA HL-20 design with modern avionics, composites, an up to date heat shield (NO TILES!) etc.
If you're going to use a spaceplane this is how to do it. It's also what the shuttle should have been if NASA had based it on all the lifting body work they did from the 50's on.
Also interesting is that Lockheed has been working with Bigelow Aerospace as regards using the Atlas V to launch people & cargo to their inflatable space stations. Maybe they were evaluating vehicles 'eh?
Story....
SpaceDev and United Launch Alliance to Explore Launching the Dream Chaser(TM) Space Vehicle on an Atlas V Launch Vehicle
Combined System Could Be Used Commercially to Launch Passengers and Cargo to ISS and Emerging Entrepreneurial Space Complexes
POWAY, CA--(MARKET WIRE)--Apr 10, 2007 -- SpaceDev, Inc. has finalized a Memorandum of Understanding with United Launch Alliance to pursue the potential of launching its SpaceDev Dream Chaser(TM) space vehicle carrying passengers and cargo on an Atlas V launch vehicle. Destinations could include the International Space Station (ISS) and other commercial orbital destinations as well as for commercial orbital space tourism flights.
The SpaceDev Dream Chaser(TM) space vehicle is being designed to provide a reusable and reconfigurable platform that is environmentally friendly, provides enhanced safety and provides affordable access for space-based activities for the US government, entrepreneurs and small businesses. This unique space transportation system is designed to reliably and safely carry crew/passengers and cargo in the suborbital and orbital flight regimes. The SpaceDev Dream Chaser(TM) space vehicle can be adapted to various mission configurations including carrying six to eight people to and from space or a combination of people and cargo. It provides a safe and affordable solution for civil and commercial space operations and is a piloted space solution which launches vertically and lands horizontally on conventional runways. Initial flight launch demonstrations are scheduled in 2009.
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Combined System Could Be Used Commercially to Launch Passengers and Cargo to ISS and Emerging Entrepreneurial Space Complexes
POWAY, CA--(MARKET WIRE)--Apr 10, 2007 -- SpaceDev, Inc. has finalized a Memorandum of Understanding with United Launch Alliance to pursue the potential of launching its SpaceDev Dream Chaser(TM) space vehicle carrying passengers and cargo on an Atlas V launch vehicle. Destinations could include the International Space Station (ISS) and other commercial orbital destinations as well as for commercial orbital space tourism flights.
The SpaceDev Dream Chaser(TM) space vehicle is being designed to provide a reusable and reconfigurable platform that is environmentally friendly, provides enhanced safety and provides affordable access for space-based activities for the US government, entrepreneurs and small businesses. This unique space transportation system is designed to reliably and safely carry crew/passengers and cargo in the suborbital and orbital flight regimes. The SpaceDev Dream Chaser(TM) space vehicle can be adapted to various mission configurations including carrying six to eight people to and from space or a combination of people and cargo. It provides a safe and affordable solution for civil and commercial space operations and is a piloted space solution which launches vertically and lands horizontally on conventional runways. Initial flight launch demonstrations are scheduled in 2009.
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