NASA has revised its Commercial Resupply Services-2 contract with Sierra Space, removing fixed Dream Chaser cargo mission commitments and supporting a late 2026 free-flight demonstration of the spaceplane. The update shifts near-term focus to flight validation while preserving NASA’s option to procure cargo runs to the International Space Station after a successful demo. Source: NASA announcement.
What changed
- NASA is no longer obligated to a specific number of Dream Chaser resupply missions under CRS-2.
- The agency may order cargo flights from Sierra Space following a successful free-flight as part of the current contract.
- NASA will provide minimal support during the remaining development phase and the demo, while Sierra Space continues sharing technical insight.
- The original 2016 award set a minimum of seven Dream Chaser cargo flights, and NASA had previously issued firm-fixed price task orders for four missions. The modification lifts NASA’s fixed commitment in favor of a performance-proven pathway.
Why a free-flight now
Sierra Space (formerly part of Sierra Nevada Corporation) determined that Dream Chaser’s development is best advanced by an uncrewed free-flight in late 2026. The demonstration is intended to validate flight performance and operational readiness of the lifting-body spaceplane and its Shooting Star cargo module before committing to station resupply.
NASA’s adjusted posture aims to reduce program risk, align payments with demonstrated capability, and retain flexibility to order services when the system is ready.
Program context
The change comes as NASA and partners plan for the International Space Station’s deorbit around 2030 and prepare to transition logistics to future commercial stations in low Earth orbit. Throughout this period, NASA, its commercial partners, and international agencies will continue delivering science, supplies, and hardware to the ISS.
Building a competitive cargo marketplace in low Earth orbit remains a strategic goal, with NASA positioned to be one of many customers as the agency advances the Artemis lunar campaign and future Mars objectives.
Vehicle status and testing
Dream Chaser and its Shooting Star module have been progressing through environmental testing, including vibration testing at NASA’s Armstrong Test Facility in Ohio to simulate launch and re-entry conditions. The 2026 free-flight is the next major milestone to demonstrate end-to-end flight dynamics and systems performance.
What to watch next
- Late 2026: Targeted Dream Chaser free-flight demonstration.
- Post-demo: NASA decisions on ordering ISS cargo missions under the existing CRS-2 framework.
- Ongoing: Certification, environmental, and integration testing leading up to the demo.
- By 2030: Logistics planning as ISS operations wind down and commercial stations mature.
For the full agency announcement and updates, read NASA’s release: NASA modifies CRS-2 contract with Sierra Space.
