Airframer
Track the aircraft, companies and sectors you follow — log in to start, or see how it works ›
The Airframer Bulletin › Archive

News archive: Dawn Aerospace Mk-II Aurora

Every Bulletin story and press release covering Dawn Aerospace Mk-II Aurora, newest first.

Whole archive

5 items

16 June

ReleaseDawn Aerospace closes US$25 million Series B to accelerate global expansion of reusable space transportation

20 November 2024 From the Pilot Cam; Mk-II Aurora at Apogee, 25km, 82,500ft altitude.

Dawn breaks sound barrier and global records

Dawn Hypersonics will now focus on advancing hypersonic flight, with a strong emphasis on international markets. Key research, development, and flight testing will continue in Christchurch, New Zealand.

10 October 2024 Mk-II Aurora at 63,000 ft, September 2024 from Glentanner Aerodrome, New Zealand.

Rapidly reusable rocket-powered aircraft flies twice in one day

The flights are part of the vehicle envelope expansion program, intended to identify vehicle dynamics in the transonic regime as Dawn Aerospace works towards breaking the sound barrier.

17 July 2024 The Mk-II Aurora during an all-up systems test in June 2024 at Tāwhaki National Aerospace Centre.

Dawn's rocket-powered UAV is cleared for supersonic testing

At full performance, the Mk-II will fly faster and 2.5 times higher than any prior aircraft that takes off from a runway, including the current record holder, the SR-71 Blackbird.

13 April 2023 The Mk-II Aurora.

Dawn's spaceplane takes flight under rocket power

The Mk-II Aurora had previously been tested using surrogate jet engines, while the latest campaign was the first conducted under rocket power. All test objectives were achieved.