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Supersonic, Rocket-Powered Aircraft Gets All Clear to Break Sound Barrier

New Zealand manufacturer Dawn Aerospace is developing ‘an aircraft with the performance of a rocket’ for suborbital space transportation.

Jack Daleo

Wednesday, July 17, 2024 at 04:06 PM ET

Verified

Edited By: tccjeremy

Dawn Aerospace’s Mk-II Aurora fires its engine during an all-up systems test in July. [Courtesy: Dawn Aerospace]

Key Takeaways:

Dawn Aerospace, a New Zealand company, has received regulatory approval to fly its remotely operated, rocket-powered Mk-II Aurora aircraft at supersonic speeds and high altitudes.
The Mk-II Aurora is designed to be the first privately funded uncrewed aerial vehicle to break the sound barrier and aims to reach the Kármán line (edge of space) twice in one day.
Upcoming test flights this summer will attempt to reach Mach 1.1 at 70,000 feet, targeting new records for speed, altitude, and climb rate.
The aircraft is intended for suborbital space transportation, featuring rapid reusability, a winged design for safety, and uses carbon-neutral, storable propellants.

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A New Zealand company developing a supersonic, remotely operated, rocket-powered aircraft has been given the all clear to break the sound barrier.

Dawn Aerospace, manufacturer of the Mk-II Aurora, announced that New Zealand’s Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has granted it approval to fly at “unlimited” speeds at up to 80,000 feet in altitude. The company is permitted to fly beyond the visual line of sight (BVLOS) of a remote pilot and will not be limited to restricted airspace.

Jack Daleo

Jack is a staff writer covering advanced air mobility, including everything from drones to unmanned aircraft systems to space travel—and a whole lot more. He spent close to two years reporting on drone delivery for FreightWaves, covering the biggest news and developments in the space and connecting with industry executives and experts. Jack is also a basketball aficionado, a frequent traveler and a lover of all things logistics.