LOUISVILLE, Colo., Sept. 2, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Sierra Space, a defense-tech space company delivering solutions for the nation’s most critical missions and advancing the future of security in space, announced today that it has secured contracts with undisclosed national security and commercial customers to fly payloads aboard Dream Chaser®—the only commercial reusable, runway-capable spaceplane—on its inaugural mission.
“As the space domain has become increasingly contested, Dream Chaser has evolved into exactly what America needs, a strategic national capability built on commercial innovation and investment,” said Dan Jablonsky, CEO of Sierra Space. “We’re establishing a new operational model in which the same platform serves national security, civil, and commercial customers on a single mission. We’re not just talking about the multi-use space economy, we’re operating it. Dream Chaser is truly America’s Spaceplane®.”
The inaugural mission represents a milestone, with Dream Chaser serving national security, commercial, and civil customers, via NASA’s Cargo Resupply Services program, on a single flight; capability that addresses growing demand for flexible, reusable space logistics.
“We spent years solving the hardest engineering challenges: deployable wings so we could maximize our payload capacity in a standard rocket fairing, hypersonic flight control providing unparalleled maneuverability and mission flexibility, autonomous reentry, and less than 1.5g runway landing,” said Dan Polis, senior vice president of Engineering and Dream Chaser at Sierra Space. “The result is a multi-use space transportation system with operational capabilities no other vehicle offers.”
Sierra Space is finalizing the manifest with defense, civil, and commercial payloads, offering customers the opportunity to demonstrate capabilities on a platform that will set the standard for the next era of orbital operations.
About Dream Chaser
- Dream Chaser is the only commercial, multi-use orbital spaceplane capable of returning cargo from orbit at less than 1.5g and landing on any 737-capable runway.
- Its unique pressurized volume and controlled runway-return allow customers to fly hardware with partial space certification rather than full environmental qualification, significantly reducing development costs and accelerating time to orbit.
- The detachable cargo module enables flexible mission configurations for both pressurized and unpressured delivery and disposal operations.
- Dream Chaser demonstrates cutting-edge capabilities in spacecraft systems, orbital logistics, and runway return operations from a single, flexible platform.
- With environmental testing, command and telemetry validation, and post-landing recovery rehearsals complete, Dream Chaser is preparing for its inaugural mission. It is launching from Kennedy Space Center, conducting multiday orbital operations, and returning to Earth with a runway landing at Vandenberg Space Force Base.
About Sierra Space
Headquartered in Colorado, Sierra Space is an industry-leading defense-tech space company. We design, manufacture, and deliver satellites, spacecraft and space subsystems including reusable spaceplanes, hypersonic technologies, propulsion systems, and infrastructure for the nation’s most critical missions.
With more than three decades of space flight heritage, expansive infrastructure and disruptive cutting-edge technology, Sierra Space is trusted by National Security, civil and commercial customers. Our flight-proven technologies advance our customers’ missions, including safeguarding our nation, protecting space-based assets, and enabling the next generation of space exploration and economic development.
Sierra Space is dedicated to defining the new era of space defense, strengthening deterrence today and preserving freedom of action for generations to come.
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SOURCE Sierra Space
