The long-awaited debut of Sierra Space’s Dream Chaser cargo spaceplane has been pushed back once again, with the vehicle no longer expected to dock at the International Space Station (ISS) on its first mission. Instead, NASA and Sierra Space have agreed to convert the inaugural flight into a free-flyer demonstration, now targeted for no earlier than late 2026.
Dream Chaser rolls out on Runway 22L at Edwards Air Force Base, California. Credit: NASA
NASA announced Thursday that its resupply contract with Sierra Space has been significantly revised. Under the updated terms, the agency is “no longer obligated for a specific number of resupply missions.” The original Commercial Resupply Services-2 (CRS-2) contract, awarded in 2016, called for at least seven ISS cargo flights and included four firm-fixed task orders.
“Developing new space transportation systems is complex and often takes longer than planned,” said Dana Weigel, NASA’s ISS Program Manager. “A demonstration mission can be critical in proving readiness, while also offering flexibility for both NASA and Sierra Space as we plan for the station’s retirement in 2030.”
The Dream Chaser vehicle, named Tenacity, had been in line to fly aboard United Launch Alliance’s Vulcan rocket. After years of delays, it will now demonstrate its capabilities in orbit without docking to the station. NASA says it may order operational missions in the future if the spacecraft successfully completes its test flight and certification.
Sierra Space, a subsidiary of Sierra Nevada Corporation, highlighted the shift as an opportunity to prove the Dream Chaser platform for both NASA and national security applications. “This transition provides unique capabilities to meet diverse mission profiles, including national security priorities,” said Executive Chair Faith Ozmen.
The Dream Chaser was originally conceived as a crewed vehicle for NASA’s Commercial Crew Program but was not selected, leading Sierra Space to pivot to a cargo-only design. The company has since promoted the vehicle’s versatility, pairing it with the Shooting Star cargo module for extended missions.
Despite the delays, Sierra Space says major progress has been made. The spacecraft is undergoing final testing, including Electromagnetic Interference checks, at NASA facilities in Florida and Ohio. Company officials insist the vehicle is on track to meet stringent pre-launch requirements.
NASA extended the CRS-2 contract through 2030, aligning it with the ISS’s anticipated end of service. SpaceX’s Dragon and Northrop Grumman’s Cygnus spacecraft continue to provide cargo transport in the meantime, with upcoming departures scheduled in December and March, respectively.
Looking ahead, Sierra Space also envisions Dream Chaser as a key logistics vehicle for Orbital Reef, a commercial space station being developed with Blue Origin. The company plans to pair the spaceplane with its inflatable LIFE habitat modules as part of its broader commercial ambitions.
While its first flight will no longer meet the ISS, Sierra Space maintains that Dream Chaser remains central to the future of low-Earth orbit logistics. “Dream Chaser represents the future of versatile space transportation,” Ozmen said. “Together with NASA, we are preserving its potential as a national asset for the next era of space innovation.”
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