Gallery: Meet Dream Chaser, a Private Space Plane

Dream Chaser Atop Flatbed Truck and Trailer

With its wings and tail structure removed and shrouded in plastic wrap, SNC's Dream Chaser test flight craft is ready to depart Louisville, Colo., atop a flatbed truck and trailer. Image released May 15, 2013.

Dream Chaser Hauled

SNC's Dream Chaser test flight craft is hauled across the bed of Rogers Dry Lake at Edwards Air Force Base, Calif., to NASA's Dryden Flight Research Center on May 15, 2013.

Dream Chaser at Dryden Flight Research Center

NASA's Dryden Flight Research Center welcomes SNC's Dream Chaser engineering test article for a flight test program in collaboration with NASA's Commercial Crew Program this summer. Image released May 15, 2013.

Sierra Nevada Corporation's Dream Chaser Test Vehicle Sierra Nevada Corporation's Dream Chaser Test Vehicle

Sierra Nevada Corporation engineers and technicians prepare the firm's Dream Chaser engineering test vehicle for tow tests on a taxiway at NASA's Dryden Flight Research Center. Image taken June 27, 2013.

Sierra Nevada Corporation's Dream Chaser Test Vehicle

Sierra Nevada Corporation engineers and technicians prepare the firm's Dream Chaser engineering test vehicle for tow tests on a taxiway at NASA's Dryden Flight Research Center. Image taken June 27, 2013.

Dream Chaser Test Vehicle Towed

Sierra Nevada Corporation's Dream Chaser engineering test vehicle is towed across the ramp at NASA's Dryden Flight Research Center in preparation for tow tests on a Dryden taxiway. Image taken May 30, 2013.

Dream Chaser Tow Test

Sierra Nevada Corporation's Dream Chaser flight vehicle undergoes tow testing on a taxiway at NASA's Dryden Flight Research Center at Edwards Air Force Base. Image taken May 31, 2013.

Dream Chaser Prepared for Tow Testing

Sierra Nevada Corporation engineers and technicians prepare the firm's Dream Chaser engineering test vehicle for tow tests on a taxiway at NASA's Dryden Flight Research Center. Image taken June 27, 2013.

NASA Administrator Bolden and Dream Chaser

Former NASA space shuttle astronaut Steve Lindsey, now Director of Flight Operations for Sierra Nevada Corporation, points out features of the firm's prototype Dream Chaser flight test vehicle to NASA Administrator Charlie Bolden and Patrick Stoliker, deputy director of NASA's Dryden Flight Research Center. Image taken May 22, 2013.

Charles Bolden at Dream Chaser Briefing

Standing in front of Sierra Nevada Corporation's (SNC) prototype Dream Chaser flight test vehicle, NASA Administrator Charlie Bolden respond to a reporter's question during a media briefing about the Dream Chaser at NASA's Dryden Flight Research Center. Image taken May 22, 2013.