The Aurora space planedeveloped by Dawn Aerospace, has officially entered the commercial phase. The company has begun accepting orders for the reusable suborbital vehicle, with first deliveries scheduled for 2027.
This development introduces a unique proposition in the aerospace sector: for the first time, it will be possible to directly acquire an aircraft capable of exceeding 100 kilometers in altitude and operating from conventional runways.
Independent access to space with the Aurora spaceplane
Aurora is designed to take off and land horizontally, using standard airport infrastructure. Its bipropellant rocket engine allows it to reach speeds of up to Mach 3.5 and altitudes equivalent to the Kármán line. This opens up new possibilities for local operators, who will be able to conduct multiple daily flights without relying on vertical launches.
With a payload capacity of up to 10 kg, Aurora is emerging as a viable platform for defense missions, hypersonic testingsurveillance, atmospheric research and microgravity studies.
A market strategy inspired by commercial aviation
The direct sale of the spaceplane proposes a model similar to that of airlines: government, academic or private operators will be able to acquire units and provide services independent of the manufacturer. According to Dawn Aerospace, this will facilitate the proliferation of suborbital fleets in the hands of strategic customers.
Stefan Powell, CEO of the company, stated that Aurora “is a platform that will enable governments and businesses to access space in a flexible and efficient manner.” The aircraft has already completed more than 50 test flights, including a record-breaking a record ascent to more than 25 km at supersonic speed.
Scientific and technological applications in microgravity
In addition to its strategic potential, Aurora also represents a useful solution for technology industries. The microgravity conditions achieved in flight will allow experiments in regenerative medicine, cell biology and testing of semiconductors exposed to the space environment.
Dawn Aerospace is currently coordinating initial deliveries with customers in the government, academic and commercial sectors. The company anticipates that this model of space aviation will mark a turning point in affordable access to the suborbital environment.
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Source and photo: Dawn Aerospace
