Dream Chaser is delayed again, raising questions about Vulcan launch plans

Enlarge / United Launch Alliance's Vulcan rocket, without its payload, rolls to the launch pad for tests on March 9, 2023. (credit: United Launch Alliance)

The long-awaited debut of a winged space plane will have to wait a little longer. This week NASA updated its internal schedule to show that Sierra Space's Dream Chaser spacecraft will now dock to the International Space Station no earlier than December 17, 2023.

Previously, Sierra Space had been publicly targeting a launch of Dream Chaser in August, on board United Launch Alliance's new Vulcan rocket.

In a statement to Ars, Sierra Space confirmed the delay. "Sierra Space’s plan is to complete the first launch of Dream Chaser by the end of the fourth quarter this year," the company said.