Vulcan Centaur Dream Chaser

VCDC

Mission Profile

The Vulcan Centaur Dream Chaser configuration is United Launch Alliance's Vulcan Centaur adapted for launching Sierra Space's Dream Chaser mini-spaceplane on Commercial Low Earth Orbit Destinations missions to the International Space Station and future commercial space stations. Standing 61.6 m tall with a 5.4 m diameter and a liftoff mass of 546,700 kg, it generates 8,230 kN of liftoff thrust from two BE-4 engines. Targeted for its first launch in late 2026 under Sierra Space's NASA contract, this configuration represents the first operational crewed orbital spaceplane launch from American soil since the Space Shuttle retirement in 2011.