Dream Chaser

Overview

A reusable lifting-body spaceplane that launches vertically (Vulcan Centaur, folding wings inside a 5 m fairing) and lands on a conventional runway at less than 1.5 g. The cargo configuration can carry 5,000 kg pressurized and 500 kg unpressurized, with an expendable Shooting Star module adding cargo, power, and disposal. First vehicle Tenacity is planned for a late-2026 free-flyer from Kennedy to Vandenberg rather than an ISS docking. A crewed version remains a later product.

Tenacity in final pre-flight closeouts. Inaugural free-flyer targeted late 2026, pending Vulcan availability. ISS cargo missions are optional after a successful demo.

Key Specs

Pressurized / unpressurized cargo

5,000 kg / 500 kg

Reentry load

<1.5 g runway landing

First orbital vehicle

Tenacity (DC-101)