Now this is what I'm talking about. While the Space X system was proven successful I feel the return to Earth via capsule is more dangerous and costly than landing like the old Space Shuttle days.
With Space X you have two sets of parachutes that have to open every time perfectly and detach on cue. Also I heard the splashdown is very violent and could lead to back injuries. Then you have all the cost of recovery at sea. (and hope the capsule doesn't sink for some unknown reason)
With Dream Chaser once you make it thru the plasma burn you're home free with a "soft" landing back at space port. Dream Chaser can be configured as a totally automated system for returning cargo or as a crewed vehicle.
Meet 'Tenacity': 1st Dream Chaser space plane gets a name.
Tenacity is scheduled to launch for the first time in late 2021. The first orbital Dream Chaser space plane recently got its wings, and a name.
Dream Chaser, which is built by Colorado-based company Sierra Nevada Corp., is the world's only non-capsule private orbital spacecraft. The winged vehicle will launch vertically atop a rocket but end its missions with runway landings, like NASA's now-retired space shuttle orbiters used to do.
This spring, the company unboxed the wings for the first operational Dream Chaser vehicle, bringing it one step closer to delivering supplies and science to and from the International Space Station. Sierra Nevada also announced the spacecraft's name: Tenacity.
I'm sure they can use a good cold brew after a fiery reentry back down to Earth. Or maybe they stock them on the shuttle to begin with. Get plastered before reentry.
The steam used to power the rocket plane also distills the hops for their in-flight brewery.
"The concept of steam-processed hops can seem outlandish on the surface, but once you understand the science behind them, they seem as normal as using caramel malts in your mash."
This would have been an interesting notion when Spock tells Scotty to "consider the alternatives" for fuel after their shuttle crashed in "The Galileo 7."
With Space X you have two sets of parachutes that have to open every time perfectly and detach on cue. Also I heard the splashdown is very violent and could lead to back injuries. Then you have all the cost of recovery at sea. (and hope the capsule doesn't sink for some unknown reason)
If it was good enough for Joe, why change it? You never heard him complaining about his backside.
Gemini? I think that decal for the instrument panel represents the Mercury capsule, Sol. Except it looks like they put in an even bigger window after some arm-twisting from scarface. You can see the attempted resemblance to project Mercury instrument panel at around 00:41.
Gemini? I think that decal for the instrument panel represents the Mercury capsule, Sol. Except it looks like they put in an even bigger window after some arm-twisting from scarface. You can see the attempted resemblance to project Mercury instrument panel at around 00:41.
