Vulcan VC4L | Dream Chaser CRS 2 Flight 1

### Vulcan VC4L Launches Dream Chaser: A Milestone in Reusable Spaceflight

On December 31, 2026, the United Launch Alliance (ULA) achieved a pivotal moment in space exploration with the inaugural flight of the Dream Chaser spaceplane aboard the Vulcan VC4L rocket. This mission, designated Vulcan VC4L | Dream Chaser CRS 2 Flight 1, marks the first operational deployment of Sierra Space's reusable spacecraft on a free-flying trajectory in Low Earth Orbit (LEO). Departing from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, the launch not only demonstrates advanced engineering but also signals a shift toward more sustainable and versatile orbital logistics.

At the heart of the mission are its objectives centered on cargo resupply for the International Space Station (ISS) under NASA's Commercial Resupply Services 2 (CRS-2) program. The Dream Chaser, a winged spaceplane reminiscent of NASA's retired Space Shuttle, is designed to transport up to 5,000 kilograms of pressurized cargo and 500 kilograms of unpressurized cargo to the ISS. Unlike traditional capsules, it features a lifting-body design that enables runway landings, enhancing reusability and reducing turnaround times. For this debut flight, the uncrewed vehicle will conduct a free-flying demonstration, testing autonomous docking, orbital maneuvers, and re-entry systems. Payload capabilities extend beyond cargo: the spaceplane can support scientific experiments in microgravity, with modular bays for payloads requiring precise environmental controls. This flexibility positions Dream Chaser as a bridge between cargo missions and potential future crewed operations, potentially carrying up to seven astronauts in later variants.

The Vulcan VC4L rocket powering this mission represents ULA's next-generation launch vehicle, engineered for reliability and cost-efficiency. Standing at 61.6 meters tall with a 5.4-meter diameter fairing, the VC4L configuration includes a Centaur upper stage and four GEM 63XL solid rocket boosters, providing enhanced thrust for heavier payloads. The core stage is propelled by two BE-4 engines from Blue Origin, burning liquid methane and oxygen—a departure from the kerosene-based systems of predecessors like the Atlas V. This cryogenic propulsion yields a payload capacity of up to 27,200 kilograms to LEO, with the VC4L variant optimized for missions requiring precise orbital insertion. Technical innovations include advanced avionics for autonomous flight and a reusable engine design, aiming to lower per-launch costs below $100 million through economies of scale.

Vulcan's performance history builds on