A space flight development company with facilities in Poway has been awarded a $215.5 million NASA contract to continue development of private sector version of the space shuttle.

The Dream Chaser undergoing testing in May. Sierra Nevada Corp. photo

The Colorado-based Sierra Nevada Corp. was one of three companies receiving additional funding under NASAs Commercial Crew Integrated Capability Program. NASA last week awarded $1.1 billion in program contracts, including $460 million to Boeing and $440 million to SpaceX.

Sierra Nevada acquired Poway-based SpaceDev in 2008. SpaceDev was founded in 2004 and was best known for developing the hybrid rockets that powered SpaceShipOne, the first successful private sub-orbital spacecraft, in 2004.

Sierra Nevadas Space Systems division is headed by Mark Sirangelo, the former chairman and CEO of SpaceDev.

Sierra Nevada is developing the 10-passenger Dream Chaser spacecraft to shuttle personnel to and from the International Space Station. An non-powered full-size mock up of the craft is the early testing stages. The company says it hopes to being shuttle flights as early as 2016.

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NASA contract goes to firm with Poway office