In this 2-minute, 41-second video, Sierra Nevada Corporation (SNC) puts its Dream Chaser engineering test vehicle through a series of ground tests at NASA’s Armstrong Flight Research Center at Edwards Air Force Base, CA, to prepare for upcoming captive-carry and free-flight tests later this year.
During this 60-mph tow test, a pickup truck pulled the Dream Chaser test vehicle on Edward’s runway to validate the performance of the spacecraft’s nose skid, brakes, tires, and other systems. The company has performed the tests at 10 mph, 20 mph, and 40 mph over the last few months to lead up to the 60-mph runway test.
Range and taxi tow tests are standard for winged vehicles that touchdown on a runway to prove the overall spacecraft handling post-landing.
Source: YouTube