Tiny Space Shuttle Could Be Launched From A Ridiculously Large Plane

This Tiny Shuttle Needs A Massive Plane To Fly

The Sierra Nevada Corporation behind the Dream Chaser shuttle has unveiled its rather unique delivery system: a massive plane which would 'piggyback' the space craft into the upper atmosphere.

The Dream Chaser craft was rejected by NASA as their new crew transport shuttle with the organisation choosing both Space X and Boeing as the manufacturers for their two new craft.

That hasn't stopped Sierra Nevada from losing hope however and the company is looking to partner up with Stratolaunch Systems.

This would allow the Dream Chaser to essentially 'piggyback' on the Stratolaunch System's carrier aircraft and then make the rest of the journey using a small multi-stage booster rocket.

The Stratolaunch carrier is being readied for testing in 2016 so it'll be a while before we see either aircraft even heading into the skies let alone space.

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