Although the rocket launch industry is becoming increasingly crowded, this does not mean that companies creating suborbital spaceplanes are in the same boat. Dawn Aerospace has completed five test flights with its Mk-II Aurora spaceplane, which is capable of flying up to 60 miles above Earth's surface.
The flight was conducted at Glentanner Aerodrome, New Zealand's South Island, in July to evaluate the vehicle's airframe and avionics. Although the vehicle reached an altitude of only 3,400 feet, Dawns team was able to capture extensive data that will enable further R&D on Mk-II's capabilities, CEO Stefan Powell stated in a statement.
Dawn's goal is to create a vehicle capable of taking off and landing from traditional airports, and possibly performing multiple flights to and fro space each day. This approach is significantly more capital-intensive than vertical launch. Mk-II measures less than a compact car at 16 feet and weighs only 165 lbs empty. This further reduces costs.
Dawn does not plan to stop there, even though the Mk-II is named after Dawn. The company plans to create a Mk-III spaceplane with two stages that can orbit and capture atmospheric data to support climate modeling and weather observation. Mk-II can carry a payload of just 3U (or less than 8.8 lbs), while Mk-III can hold up to 551 lbs.
To enable supersonic performance at high altitude, the Mk-II will eventually be equipped with a rocket engine.
Last December, the company reached a significant milestone when it was awarded an Unmanned Aircraft Operator Certificate by the New Zealand Civil Aviation Authority. This allows it to fly MkII from airports. The province of Zuid-Holland, in the Netherlands, also granted the company a grant to test a low-power detect and sense radar system. Powell said that the demonstration will take place after Mk-II has undergone minor modifications.
