Dawn Aerospace recently announced the successful completion of its Mk-II Aurora suborbital space plane's first set of rocket-powered test flights. These flights occurred in quick succession, suggesting that the space plane may eventually be capable of multiple daily flights, dramatically increasing access to space.
The test flights took place between March 29 and 31 at Glentanner Aerodrome in New Zealand. While the Mk-II Aurora had flown before, this was the first time it was equipped with a rocket engine instead of a surrogate jet engine. During testing, the space plane, which can take off and land like a regular fixed-wing aircraft, reached an altitude of 6,000 feet and a speed of 170 knots (over 195 mph).
Dawn Aerospace's primary objective for these tests was to validate key systems and capabilities, rather than set new performance benchmarks. The successful flights demonstrated the potential for rapid reusability, a core feature of the company's philosophy, which aims to operate rocket-powered vehicles like commercial jet aircraft. CEO Stefan Powell stated that this achievement would revolutionize the economics of space access in the future.
The Mk-II Aurora's current accomplishments are just the beginning, as the company plans to further develop the space plane. The ultimate goal is for the Mk-II Aurora to reach an altitude of 62 miles while carrying 550 pounds of cargo, launching payloads into low-earth orbit via a second-stage rocket multiple times per day. The next-generation Mk-III Aurora, designed to carry up to one ton of cargo, will further expand the possibilities for commercial space access.