Dawn Aerospace Secures Approval for Supersonic Rocketplane Tests

Dawn Aerospace has obtained approvals from New Zealand's Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) and the New Zealand Space Agency, clearing the way for a new series of supersonic flight tests for its Mark-II Aurora rocket-powered suborbital spaceplane. 

The CAA's certification permits the Mark-II Aurora to achieve unlimited speeds and altitudes up to 24,400 meters (80,000 feet). Stefan Powell, CEO, Dawn Aerospace, highlighted the significance of this milestone, noting it marks the first time the CAA has granted such permissions for a high-altitude beyond-line-of-sight operation of a remotely piloted vehicle. Combined with the high-altitude license from the New Zealand Space Agency, this certification allows operations above 18,200 meters, extending beyond controlled airspace.

“The objective of both certifications is to establish a precedent for reaching up to 100 kilometers,” said Powell. He emphasized that the Mark-II Aurora aims to become the first privately developed UAV to achieve supersonic speeds while taking off and landing on a conventional runway.

The upcoming flight test campaign, scheduled to begin this month, will encompass a series of four initial flights. These flights will progressively increase in speed and altitude, starting from Mach 0.4 at 6,100 meters and progressing to Mach 0.7 at 13,700 meters. A subsequent series of four flights will target speeds from Mach 0.7 to Mach 1.1, reaching altitudes up to 21,300 meters. Additionally, the tests will demonstrate rapid turnaround capabilities with plans to conduct two flights in a single day. Dawn Aerospace aims to complete these tests by September.

The flights will be launched from Glentanner Aerodrome, which previously hosted low-altitude test flights for the Mark-II Aurora in 2023. Future tests are also under consideration at the Tāwhaki National Aerospace Centre, located on New Zealand’s coast, due to its lower air traffic density.

The ultimate objective of the Mark-II Aurora is to achieve altitudes of 100 kilometers, enabling microgravity research and other applications. Powell noted significant interest from potential users, although the upcoming tests will not carry passengers. The vehicle also serves as a precursor to the larger Mark-III Aurora, envisioned as the first stage of an air-launch platform for deploying satellites into orbit.

The Mark-II Aurora conducted its maiden flight in 2021 using surrogate jet engines, later transitioning to a hydrogen peroxide/kerosene rocket engine for subsequent flights. These flights reached speeds of approximately 315 km/h at altitudes of 1,829 meters. Since 2021, over 50 test flights have been conducted using both jet and rocket engines.

“This marks a pivotal milestone for the Mk-II vehicle, enabling supersonic flight,” Powell affirmed. He underscored that the Mark-II Aurora aims to surpass the records of previous aircraft taking off from runways, including those of the SR-71 Blackbird. At full performance capability, the vehicle is expected to exceed Mach 3, enabling cargo transport and achieving repeated annual flights.