Space is unforgiving. Temperature extremes, radiation, and orbital debris stand ready to cause havoc with any ill-prepared spacecraft. Ever since humans first ventured beyond Earth’s protective atmosphere, the vehicles used to get there and back have pushed the limits of engineering and material science. It’s a challenge the team at Sierra Space, who build the Dream Chaser® spaceplane, a multi-mission utility vehicle for transporting cargo into low-Earth orbit destinations like the International Space Station, faces every day.