Sierra Space and German start-up yuri present a joint venture to explore bold and visionary commercial opportunities for microgravity research that could help create medical breakthroughs by using the benefits of zero gravity in space. Sierra Space is the new commercial, independent company leveraging the Dream Chaser® spaceplane and LIFE™ habitat to create a low-Earth orbit space station that will help make space accessible, help humanity and create a new space ecosystem.
Doing research in microgravity has many scientific benefits, including helping to find cures to the world’s deadliest diseases or discovering advanced materials.
“Sierra Space’s Dream Chaser and LIFE habitats are perfect venues for yuri’s cutting-edge microgravity research in biotech, pharma, electronics and advanced materials,” said Tom Vice, Sierra Space Chief Executive Officer. “This kind of work is scarce and complex, and we want to change that and make it more accessible and sustainable. Microgravity research can help life on Earth and it’s an important part of why we go to space.”
“Tapping yuri’s microgravity capabilities, including our Science Taxi, will be crucial for companies looking to lead the LEO economy,” said Maria Birlem, CEO of yuri. “yuri is thrilled to partner with Sierra Space and explore leveraging our respective technologies for payload integration at LEO and build on our special partnership.”
Yuri’s technology would utilize Sierra Space’s future Space Station and Dream Chaser spaceplane. Previously, yuri launched several missions, including with ESA (European Space Agency) and NASA, and will be bringing its expertise in microgravity and payload platforms to this new partnership with Sierra Space.
The memorandum of understanding (MOU) is among several new commercial agreements for Sierra Space across multiple industries – including space-enabled manufacturing, biopharma research, and on-orbit satellite servicing assembly and manufacturing.
Sierra Space recently announced plans for the first free-flying commercial space station in low-Earth orbit that includes multiple LIFE habitats and docking ports for Dream Chaser® spaceplanes and other visiting vehicles and modules. The space station is modular, flexible and provides a large environment for living and working and open to industries like pharmaceuticals, space tourism and agriculture.
