Sierra Space to Support Cancer Research on First Dream Chaser® Mission to ISS
Sierra Space, a leading commercial space company and defense technology provider, announced new initiatives to advance biopharmaceutical research in low-Earth orbit during the inaugural mission of its Dream Chaser spaceplane to the International Space Station (ISS). These initiatives aim to explore innovative methods for delivering cancer therapies to patients on Earth, in collaboration with Merck, known as MSD outside the United States and Canada.
Sierra Space, a leading commercial space company known for its innovative space transportation systems, has announced exciting new initiatives to advance biopharmaceutical research and development during its Dream Chaser spaceplane’s inaugural mission to the International Space Station (ISS). The mission will focus on investigating ways to enhance cancer therapies for patients on Earth, in collaboration with Merck, also known as MSD outside the United States and Canada.
The collaboration underscores the unique capabilities of the Dream Chaser spaceplane, which was specifically designed for smooth re-entry to Earth and landing on commercial runways. Unlike other spacecraft that require rough splashdowns in the ocean or hard desert landings, Dream Chaser can safely return experiments, including delicate biopharma materials, with minimal impact at fewer than 1.5g’s. This ability to land on runways provides rapid access for unloading critical cargo and ensures the preservation of sensitive materials, such as biopharmaceuticals, crucial for research and development.
“We know there are vast benefits to conducting science experiments in low-Earth orbit, but we also need to safely return the results of these experiments back to Earth,” said Paul Reichert, Merck Principal Investigator. “Dream Chaser’s ability to safely return payloads from the ISS laboratory via the same runway as a commercial airplane will greatly increase the survival rate of these delicate materials and hopefully accelerate the advancements of critical treatments.”
One of the key research initiatives being pursued with Merck involves the development of experimental formulations of monoclonal antibody therapies for cancer. These formulations aim to leverage the effects of microgravity to create high-concentration amorphous suspensions, which could improve therapeutic drug delivery.
This research could lead to more efficient drug delivery methods, such as subcutaneous injections, which would replace the need for intravenous transfusions. Additionally, these formulations could offer greater stability, potentially allowing for storage without refrigeration, a critical advancement for distribution and use in low-resource areas.
The Merck Formulation Research Platform, which will ride aboard the Dream Chaser spaceplane, will facilitate this groundbreaking research. The platform was developed through a collaboration between Merck’s 3D Printing Department and Sierra Space, bringing together expertise in pharmaceutical development and cutting-edge space technology.
This announcement also marks the first commercial contact partner for Sierra Space’s Dream Chaser mission, showcasing the spaceplane’s payload “rideshare” capabilities. In addition to Merck’s research payload, the mission will carry NASA supplies for astronauts aboard the space station, demonstrating the versatile and multi-purpose nature of the Dream Chaser.
Sierra Space has recently achieved a major milestone in collaboration with NASA, completing and passing its Joint Test 10B. This test demonstrated Dream Chaser’s ability to power on, air-cool, and exchange data with powered payloads inside its pressurized cabin. The test also included the successful handling of cold-stowage payloads, which are critical for preserving scientific matter during transport. This success paves the way for future missions that will further expand the capabilities of Dream Chaser, including its role in transporting sensitive biopharmaceuticals and other valuable research materials to and from the ISS.
The partnership with Merck is a significant step forward in Sierra Space’s mission to revolutionize space transportation and the commercialization of space research. With over 30 years of spaceflight heritage and more than 500 missions, Sierra Space is transforming the future of space exploration and development with its cutting-edge technologies. Dream Chaser is the world’s only commercial spaceplane, and its innovative design provides a platform for conducting experiments and delivering cargo to low-Earth orbit in a way that no other spacecraft can match.
Sierra Space is committed to advancing not just space transportation but also the future of space habitats. The company is developing inflatable and expandable space station technology to create space destinations for both commercial and governmental use. These efforts are part of Sierra Space’s broader vision to provide space-as-a-service solutions, expanding production capacity to meet the growing demands of constellation programs, and offering a host of systems and subsystems for solar power, mechanics, motion control, environmental control, life support, propulsion, and thermal control.
As Sierra Space continues to innovate, it is building a comprehensive platform that connects space transportation with new commercial opportunities, paving the way for the next era of space exploration. Through partnerships like the one with Merck, the company is not only advancing space technology but also improving life on Earth through groundbreaking advancements in science and biopharmaceuticals.
