Dawn Aerospace spaceplane prototype hits transonic speeds
In a significant milestone for spaceplane technology, the aerospace startup Dawn Aerospace has reported a major breakthrough with its latest test flight. The test, conducted from Christchurch, New Zealand, saw their prototype vehicle reaching transonic speeds, nearly breaking the sound barrier, with a top speed of Mach 0.92 and achieving an altitude of 50,000 ft (approx. 15,000 m). This performance signifies a substantial improvement over previous tests, showing a threefold increase in speed and a fivefold rise in altitude capability.
The advancement in the development of Dawn Aerospace’s spaceplane is part of their ambitious plans to create a highly reusable vehicle capable of multiple flights to space in a single day. Stefan Powell, Dawn Aerospace’s CEO, expressed optimism about the project’s progress, stating, “We are seeing strong commercial traction in both streams across a wide range of users.” He revealed plans for flying the first payloads to moderate altitudes using the Mk-IIA spaceplane before the year ends. Powell also pointed towards more significant achievements with the Mk-IIB in the following years, projecting an optimistic outlook for 2025 and 2026.
The Mk-II spaceplane, according to Dawn Aerospace, is on track to challenge and surpass some of the most notable records in aerial and space flight. The team anticipates that in its upcoming test campaigns, the vehicle will not only fly supersonic but also exceed the performance benchmarks set by some of the most iconic aircraft in history. “By the end of 2025, we’re looking to climb faster than an F15, fly higher than a Mig 25, faster than an SR-71, and, ultimately, be the first vehicle to fly above the Karman line; 100km altitude (the generally accepted definition of ‘space’), twice in a single day,” revealed the team at Dawn Aerospace. Achieving such feats would mean breaking records that have remained unchallenged for over half a century.
With these developments, Dawn Aerospace is not only pushing the boundaries of aerospace technology but also contributing to a future where access to space is more frequent and economically feasible. The successful testing of their spaceplane prototype at transonic speeds marks a pivotal step forward in realizing this vision, promising a new era of space exploration and commercial spaceflight.
