SNC Taps Aerojet Rocketdyne for Dream Chaser’s Electric Power System

Dream Chaser and Space Shuttle comparison. Photo: SNC

[Via Satellite 08-03-2016] Sierra Nevada Corporation (SNC) has awarded Aerojet Rocketdyne a contract to supply the electrical power system for Dream Chaser, the company’s reusable, multipurpose spacecraft. The system will regulate power generated from the solar arrays and distribute it to the spacecraft’s avionics, thermal and propulsion systems, as well as payloads that require electrical power.

Aerojet Rocketdyne will design, develop, fabricate, test and integrate SNC’s Dream Chaser electrical power system, including power conversion, distribution units and rechargeable batteries.

Dream Chaser is part of NASA’s Commercial Resupply Services (CRS-2) program and leverages more than 40 years of NASA development and space-shuttle heritage. Earlier this year, SNC received a contract from NASA to fulfill at least six cargo delivery missions to and from the station through 2024.

“The capacity of the rechargeable batteries will allow Dream Chaser to increase its free-flight time in space, as well as support the spacecraft’s cargo delivery and return journey back to Earth,” said Julie Van Kleeck, vice president of advanced space and launch at Aerojet Rocketdyne.