dawn aerospace gets certified to fly its rocket-powered aircraft for supersonic flights

Supersonic flights at unlimited speeds for MK-ii aurora

Back in 2020, Dawn Aerospace introduced its suborbital spaceplane, Mk-II Aurora. Fast forward to 2024, the New Zealand-based aerospace company has received its certification from the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) to fly its rocket-powered aircraft for supersonic flights at unlimited speeds. This certification also allows the plane to be flown beyond the pilot’s line of sight without needing special restricted airspace.

It’s a milestone for Mk-II Aurora, which has completed 50 flight tests under both jet and rocket power since July 2021, even operating under more restrictive licenses. Dawn Aerospace poses its rocket-powered aircraft as the first air vehicle ever to fly to 100 kilometers altitude, towards the suborbital, and make it happen two times in a single day. Aside from conducting supersonic flights, the aircraft can also fly for high-speed flight research, earth observation, as well as other defense and civil uses.

all images courtesy of Dawn Aerospace

Dawn aerospace to set new record for rocket-powered aircraft

Dawn Aerospace worked closely with local agencies like the CAA, NZ Space Agency, and other agencies for several years prior to receiving the certification. They went through rigorous checks and testing to ensure that the aerospace company’s rocket-powered aircraft could deliver its performance enough to carry out supersonic flights.

Now, their Mk-II Aurora is ready for another goal: to fly up to 100 kilometers high multiple times a day. If successful, this can set new records for speed, altitude, and climb rate for an aircraft that powers itself. In 2023, Mk-II Aurora reached speeds of 200 knots and altitudes of 9,000 feet during its test flights.

Dawn Aerospace’s rocket-powered aircraft Mk-II Aurora sets eyes on supersonic flights

flight tests in late 2024 for rocket aircraft mk-ii aurora

Since then, Dawn Aerospace has upgraded rocket-powered aircraft for a new series of tests. One important test included running its engine for 60 seconds and then restarting it to show it could safely abort and retry a flight if needed, a key preparation for the supersonic flights.

So far, the next set of flight tests, happening from July to September, is expected to involve up to twelve flights. The main goal is to push the vehicle to fly faster than the speed of sound (Mach 1.1) and reach altitudes of 70,000 feet. The next target in line is to show that the vehicle can fly twice in one day, proving its ability to be quickly reused.

Dawn Aerospace’s certification for rocket-powered aircraft Mk-II Aurora allows for flights at unlimited speeds