With the ongoing private space race, there are two major players: SpaceX, backed by Elon Musk, and Blue Origin, funded by Jeff Bezos. Now, a new contender is preparing to enter the scene with a sleek spaceship.
Sierra Space has been working on developing its means of transporting people and cargo into space, unveiling the Tenacity spaceplane, a space-ready version of the Dream Chaser ship introduced in 2015. The futuristic-looking Tenacity features two rear engines, aerodynamic wings, and a black and white design reminiscent of the original Nasa Space Shuttle. The 55-foot craft is not just a model, but a fully-formed spaceship set to undergo final testing before its maiden flight. It needs to demonstrate its capability to withstand the forces of launch atop a United Launch Alliance’s Vulcan Centaur rocket, as well as the journey back to Earth after completing its mission. Sierra Space CEO Tom Vice highlighted the remaining testing, which includes simulating the space environment and vacuum in the thermal vac chamber.
Sierra Space’s new spaceship, named Tenacity, will proceed to an unmanned mission to the International Space Station if it successfully passes all tests. Although there is no set date for the mission, Sierra Space is aiming for a launch to the ISS in the first half of this year. Following this, the potential for the spacecraft is vast. It could undertake missions for Nasa, joining the likes of SpaceX and Blue Origin, and even contributing to the construction of new space stations orbiting Earth.
