Private aerospace company Sierra Nevada has sent its Dream Chaser vehicle on a successful gliding and landing mission , after being launched via helicopter from the Edwards Air Force Base in southern California . The free - flight test has confirmed the vehicle 's landing capabilities , allowing Sierra Nevada to further develop it for release . The Dream Chaser will shortly be used for cargo missions to the International Space Station as part of NASA ’s commercial space programme . At present , only SpaceX and Orbital ATK have contracts for NASA supplies but Sierra Nevada will be able to participate from 2019 to 2024 .
Private spaceflight firm Sierra Nevada has sent its Dream Chaser vehicle on a successful gliding and landing mission, after being launched via helicopter from the Edwards Air Force Base in southern California. The free-flight test has confirmed the vehicle's landing capabilities, allowing Sierra Nevada to further develop it for release. The Dream Chaser will shortly be used for cargo missions to the International Space Station as part of NASA’s commercial cargo programme. At present, only SpaceX and Orbital ATK have contracts for NASA supplies but Sierra Nevada will be able to participate from 2019 to 2024.