NASA Drops ISS Cargo Guarantee, Forcing Sierra Space Pivot

NASA Drops ISS Cargo Guarantee, Forcing Sierra Space Pivot

NASA drops ISS cargo guarantee, forcing Sierra Space to pivot from its original mission. The company’s Dream Chaser spaceplane, once seen as a reliable ISS cargo resupply vehicle, will now debut in a free-flying test flight instead of docking with the station. This marks a major shift for Sierra Space and raises questions about the future of commercial space logistics. Image Credits:Sierra Space A Contract Change That Reshapes Sierra Space’s Future When Sierra Space first secured its NASA cargo contract nearly a decade ago, it promised a breakthrough: a reusable, runway-landing spaceplane capable of delivering and returning ISS cargo. But with NASA’s new contract modification, that guarantee is gone. Now, Dream Chaser’s first flight in 2026 will focus on proving the spacecraft in orbit—without ISS docking. NASA has said it will provide only “minimal support” for this test, and future resupply missions will depend entirely on its success. Why The Decision Is A Setback The change is a signifi…