Sierra Nevada Corporation Signs Memorandum of Understanding with Canadian Space Agency
SPARKS, Nev., October 03, 2017 – Sierra Nevada Corporation (SNC) signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Canadian Space Agency (CSA) to explore possibilities of using the Dream Chaser® spacecraft for future CSA missions and to facilitate the exchange of information between SNC and Canada. The agreement is a significant step toward greater collaboration to develop Dream Chaser technologies and applications that are mutually beneficial for SNC, the Canadian space industry and academia.
“Canada continues to be a world leader in technology for space missions and this agreement allows us to take advantage of that expertise. SNC is grateful to CSA President Sylvain Laporte for his leadership and vision,” said Mark Sirangelo, corporate vice president of SNC’s Space Systems business area.
The partnership brings together SNC, a leader in space transportation with the Dream Chaser spacecraft, and the CSA, a valued NASA partner and a pioneer in numerous technology areas including space robotics, synthetic aperture radar and various scientific instruments and components. CSA will be supported by the Canadian industry and the academic community, which also possess significant space expertise and capabilities that are useful to SNC and future missions.
“Space is a bridge across the world and across generations," said Eren Ozmen, SNC's owner and President. "SNC is always looking for ways we can use our resources to cooperate internationally, and to improve and increase access to space."
“Canada’s world-class reputation as a leader in multiple space technology areas such as robotics has led to this new international collaboration with Sierra Nevada Corporation. We are looking forward to providing the expertise of Canadian firms and researchers to help develop next-generation technologies for the Dream Chaser and contribute to its success.” says Canada’s Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development, Navdeep Bains.
SNC and Canada’s space industry will continue to discuss areas of collaboration during the CSA’s “Dream Chaser for Canada” event on December 6-7, 2017, at its headquarters in Saint-Hubert, Quebec.
Both SNC and CSA will continue to explore potential future missions under the guidelines reached in the memo.
About Dream Chaser Spacecraft
Owned and operated by SNC, the Dream Chaser spacecraft is a reusable, multi-mission space utility vehicle. It is capable of transportation services to and from low-Earth orbit, where the International Space Station (ISS) resides, and is the only commercial, lifting-body vehicle capable of a runway landing. The Dream Chaser Cargo System was selected by NASA to provide cargo delivery and disposal services to the ISS under the Commercial Resupply Services 2 (CRS2) contract. All Dream Chaser CRS2 cargo missions are planned to land at Kennedy Space Center’s Shuttle Landing Facility.
About Sierra Nevada Corporation
Recognized as one of “The World’s Top 10 Most Innovative Companies in Space,” Sierra Nevada Corporation (SNC) provides customer-focused advanced technology solutions in the areas of space, aviation, electronics and systems integration. SNC’s Space Systems business area based in Louisville, Colorado, designs and manufactures advanced spacecraft, space vehicles, rocket motors and spacecraft subsystems and components for the U.S. Government, commercial customers, as well as for the international market. SNC has more than 25 years of space heritage, participating in more than 450 successful space missions and delivering 4,000+ systems, subsystems and components around the world.
For more information on SNC visit www.sncorp.com and follow us at Facebook.com/SierraNevCorp and Twitter @SierraNevCorp. Sierra Nevada Corporation and SNC are trademarks of Sierra Nevada Corporation.
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Sirangelo (left) and Laporte (right) sign Memorandum of Understanding