NASA Completes Captive Carry Flight on Sierra Nevada's Dream Chaser

This major contender for the next fly-back, horizontal landing, orbital taxi has gotten into the air with a more complete set of hardware, although not under its own power as yet.  Test objectives are outlined in the article at the link below, but are primarily systems testing.  It is not clear whether the first free-flight will be manned or automated.  I'm betting on the latter, but I guess we'll see.

(Photo Credit: NASA)



http://www.hispanicbusiness.com/2013/8/22/sierra_nevada_corporation_s_dream_chaser.htm