NASA Authorizes Private Contractor for ISS Resupply Missions

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. — NASA has authorized another private contractor to launch resupply missions to the International Space Station.

Sierra Nevada Corporation (SNC) received NASA's Authority to Proceed this week.  Under the Commercial Resupply Services Contract 2, SNC would begin launching its Dream Chaser spacecraft to deliver supplies and experiments to the ISS by late 2020.

The Dream Chaser can carry more than 12,000 lbs. of cargo and operate as a flying laboratory, docking with the ISS for extended periods of time.

The Dream Chaser can also carry more than 4,000 lbs. of cargo back to Earth, landing at Kennedy Space Center.

“The Dream Chaser is going to be a tremendous help to the critical science and research happening on the space station,” said Mark Sirangelo, executive vice president of SNC’s Space Systems business area. “Receiving NASA’s Authority to Proceed is a big step for the program. We can’t wait to see the vehicle return to Kennedy Space Center to a runway landing, allowing immediate access to the science payloads being returned from the station.”