NASA Center Signs Commercial Agreement With Sierra Nevada

Dec. 14, 2011

Michael Braukus/J.D. Harrington
Headquarters, Washington
202-358-1979/5241
michael.j.braukus@nasa.gov
j.d.harrington@nasa.gov

Kimberly Newton
Marshall Space Flight Center, Huntsville, Ala.
256-544-0034
kimberly.d.newton@nasa.gov

Cassie Kloberdanz
Sierra Nevada Corp., Louisville, Colo.
720.407.3264
cassie.kloberdanz@nscorp.com

RELEASE: 11-418

NASA CENTER SIGNS COMMERCIAL AGREEMENT WITH SIERRA NEVADA

WASHINGTON-- NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Ala.,
is entering into a space act agreement with Sierra Nevada Corp. Space
Systems of Louisville, Colo., to provide key wind tunnel testing of a
new spacecraft designed to transport crew and cargo to and from the
International Space Station.

Marshall will perform wind tunnel tests for Sierra Nevada's Dream
Chaser orbital crew vehicle, a spacecraft that looks like a small
space shuttle. The tests will simulate speeds ranging from Mach .2,
or 152 mph at sea level, to Mach 5, or 3,811 mph at sea level, to
provide Sierra Nevada with aerodynamic data about how the vehicle
reacts at varying speeds and atmospheric conditions. Marshall will
provide engineering support and data processing throughout the test
series. The agreement could lead to joint development, testing and
operations of advanced space systems -- including innovative design
and fabrication techniques.

"Helping our commercial partners be successful is a top priority, and
we are pleased to be working with Sierra Nevada on Dream Chaser,"
said Teresa Vanhooser, manager of the Flight Programs and
Partnerships Office at Marshall. "Our experienced workforce and
unique wind tunnel offers our partners a proven, quick, and
affordable way to test their Dream Chaser vehicle, and will aid in
the development of the capability to transport astronauts to the
International Space Station."

Marshall's 14-square-foot wind tunnel is capable of conducting tests
at subsonic, transonic and supersonic wind speeds. Transonic speeds
are close to Mach 1, the speed of sound, or 760 mph at sea level, and
the facility can achieve wind speeds as great as Mach 5.

"We are extremely pleased to be adding the Marshall Space Flight
Center to our Dream Chaser Orbital spacecraft team, which now
includes seven NASA centers. Marshall has been at the forefront of
many significant aerospace programs, and we are fortunate to have
their terrific people and valuable technical capabilities assisting
us in the development of our vehicle. Our partnership will enable us
to reach low-Earth orbit sooner and safer. We look forward to a long
and mutually rewarding relationship and to expanding our presence in
Alabama," said Mark Sirangelo, head of Sierra Nevada Space Systems.

For more information about NASA Commercial Crew Program, visit:

http://www.nasa.gov/commercialcrew

-end-

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