Hydraulic Systems Even Get Into Space!

Yes it's true the humble hydraulic system even gets into space and Sierra Nevada Corp., one of the firms trying to win the order for a commercial space taxi for NASA, is planning a series of automated and piloted atmospheric flight tests of its lifting body Dream Chaser spacecraft later in 2012.

This will lead to an orbital insertion mission in 2016, if all goes to plan.

The hydraulics are in the F-5E landing gear which is used for the first phase of approach and landing tests.

These flight tests will initially prove the Dream Chaser's aerodynamic qualities after which it is hoped more funding will be made available and the whole thing could start to become a reality.

For the full story see:- http://www.spaceflightnow.com/news/n1205/09sierranevada/