A fifth-gen Freightliner Cascadia supported high-speed runway tests for Dream Chaser, an autonomous spaceplane designed by Sierra Space to transport pressurized and unpressurized cargo to and from low Earth orbit.

The unmodified Cascadia sleeper towed the spacecraft to 70 miles per hour (112 km/h) on a 15,000-foot (4.5 km) runway at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida to help validate landing dynamics and autonomous navigational parameters, according to a new release.

The tests simulated critical dynamics for Dream Chaser’s landing sequence. Before the tow tests began, Daimler Truck North America product validation engineer Nate Fleming transported Dream Chaser approximately 10 miles (16 km) from NASA’s space systems processing facility in Florida to the launch and landing facility.

According to the release, Fleming is the only known driver in history to use a Class 8 tractor to haul a spacecraft on public roads. Sierra Space referred to him as a “test pilot,” recognizing his testing role at DTNA and his support in validating their own systems.

“There was a lot riding on this testing,” Fleming said in the release. “Sierra Space trusted me to haul the Dream Chaser and trusted the Freightliner Cascadia to carry it safely. When you’re testing something that’s never been done before, you need to believe in your equipment. I’ve spent years validating new technologies for DTNA, and this was certainly the most memorable drive of my career.”

A team of engineers and technicians prepared the spaceplane as it rested on its custom trailer. Dream Chaser is engineered to launch vertically inside a rocket fairing, deploy its wings once in orbit, and use its thrusters to maneuver in low Earth orbit before returning by landing on a commercial runway.

Landing system validation

Instead of relying solely on traditional landing gear, Dream Chaser uses tandem rear wheels and a single, reinforced skid plate for space and weight savings. The Cascadia’s Detroit DD15 engine, DT12 automated manual transmission and Detroit axles provided the power and control needed for the trailer used in the landing system validation.

“Freightliner’s legacy is pioneering freight movement, but we are – and will remain – terrestrially focused,” said David Carson, senior vice president of sales and marketing at DTNA. “Dream Chaser is redefining how cargo moves in space, and that shared spirit of innovation made this partnership a natural fit. We’re proud they selected the fifth-generation Cascadia to support this groundbreaking effort.”

Dream Chaser is a flexible, reusable spaceplane built to deliver payloads to space and return them to Earth. Its runway-landing capability allows it to touch down closer to cargo destinations, reducing turnaround time for offloading and processing and expanding access to space.

“When you’re preparing a new spacecraft for its first mission, every detail matters,” said Klint Combs, vice president – test engineering at Sierra Space. “We chose Freightliner because the Fifth Generation Cascadia offers the kind of precision and safety systems that give our team confidence. This test is about proving we can land safely, reliably, and repeatedly and Freightliner helped us take a major step toward that goal.”