SpaceDev Inc. finalized a memorandum of understanding with United Launch Alliance to pursue launching the SpaceDev Dream Chaser aboard an Atlas 5 rocket, SpaceDev announced April 10. The vehicle is intended to provide a reusable and reconfigurable platform to ferry humans and cargo to space, with initial flight launch demonstrations are scheduled for 2009.
SpaceDev will work with United Launch Alliance to explore the technical requirements for commercial launch services needed to transport crew and cargo to space, including compatibility analysis of integrating a Dream Chaser on an Atlas 5. The vehicle likely would be launched aboard an Atlas 5 431 configuration, SpaceDev said.