NASA and Sierra Space clip Dream Chaser's ISS wings

NASA and Sierra Space have modified the Commercial Resupply Services-2 contract, which originally called for the Dream Chaser spaceplane to be used to supply the International Space Station (ISS). Currently, there is a strong chance the vehicle will never reach the ISS before the outpost is deorbited in 2030. The change to …

[that one in the corner]

Including emerging and existential threats

Do you think he meant to say "emerging and existing threats"?

If not, can we rest easier, knowing that there are not going to be any new existential threats emerging in the future?*

* or does he just mean that the sum total of all the current existential threats are enough to guarantee that our existence will end in the expected lifetime of the Dream Catcher, so frankly don't bother about getting out of bed tomorrow, we are all doomed, doomed I tell you.

PS

Shame if Dream Catcher doesn't make it to the ISS, as there is just something about the photos from Earth of the station with an obvious winged shape docked to that somehow made it all seem more real, if you get what I mean; the silhouette was such a change from the normal profile that it was so much more obvious that something was paying them a visit.

[Gene Cash]

Layoffs

Don't forget, they laid off 165 employees and a ton more contractors in November 2023.

Gee, I wonder why they're completely failing now.

[NetMage]

Re: Layoffs

In 2019 they said they would be ready in 2021. In late 2020, they said they would launch in 2022. In mid-2022 they said it would be 2023.

I don’t think the loss of some personnel late in 2023 was the cause of their delays.

[Gary Stewart]

Well at least we get a White House ballroom that nobody has wanted for the last 150 years

I wonder if this has anything to do with the massive NASA budget cuts? Well if there is anything hopeful you can say about the current regime it is that they must be running out of noses to cut. Not really needed since the face of this ongoing disaster was always spiteful. I would like to hope that some commercial space station project could save Dream Chaser but I fear that none of them will happen soon enough to help.

[Oneman2Many]

Re: Well at least we get a White House ballroom that nobody has wanted for the last 150 years

Nothing to do with NASA cuts. Sierra Space had given up on it years ago.

[Gary Stewart]

Re: Well at least we get a White House ballroom that nobody has wanted for the last 150 years

"NASA and Sierra Space have modified the Commercial Resupply Services-2 contract"

Are you sure?

[zuckzuckgo]

Re: Well at least we get a White House ballroom that nobody has wanted for the last 150 years

It would make a nice ornament for the new ballroom.

[John Brown (no body)]

How different is Dreamchaser from the X-37?

Yeah, yeah, I know, Boeing, but seriously, would a proven X-37 not be a good starting point for a manned space plane? Is it too small? Not got the capacity to fit people and life support in? Or is re-inventing the wheel the only way to keep the pork barrel rolling?

[NetMage]

It is too small, not human rated, and not air tight. A lot of changes would be needed, and Boeing can’t get their existing human craft working well. They are not looking for another project with no purpose.

[John Brown (no body)]

Thanks, so it's not just changing an airbus or 747 airframe to suit cargo or passenger models. Needs an an entirely new "air"frame (and bigger in this case)

[Oneman2Many]

Aside from looking similar, X-39 has no pife supply, cabin, isn't air tight and too small. Probably no radiation shielding and other necessity.

[Missing Semicolon]

Hubble!

Wouldn't this craft be ideal for a Hubble upgrade mission?