Dawn Aerospace , a leader in aerospace innovation, has set a new standard in supersonic aviation with the success of its Aurora Mk-II rocket plane . This experimental vehicle reached speeds of Mach 1.1 and a record altitude of 82,500 feet, leaving a mark on civil aircraft development since Concorde.
Aurora Mk-II world record
The flight, conducted from Glentanner Airfield in New Zealand, was notable for exceeding established targets by reaching Mach 1.1 and setting a new climb record . The Aurora managed to climb to 20 km altitude in just 118.6 seconds, beating the legendary F-15 “Streak Eagle” by 4.2 seconds. This achievement consolidates the Aurora’s potential as an ultra-high performance aircraft and redefines the limits of experimental aviation.
The aircraft rose to 20 km in less than 2 minutes. Source: Dawn Aerospace
Not only does the Aurora Mk-II fly faster and higher, it is designed to perform multiple missions in a single day, reaching speeds of Mach 3.5 and reaching the edge of space . Its applications include microgravity research, atmospheric observations and high-speed flight testing. Its pure propulsion engine provides thrust-to-weight ratios 20 times greater than conventional engines, enabling operations beyond Earth’s atmosphere.
Future plans
Dawn Aerospace has announced that commercial operations under the Dawn Hypersonics brand will soon begin, targeting international markets. With a focus on sustainability and reusability, this development positions New Zealand as a key hub for advanced aerospace testing.
This achievement shows what is possible with rocket propulsion and brings us closer to operational hypersonic flight. I am proud of the team for their dedication to overcoming technical challenges.
said Stefan Powell, CEO of Dawn Aerospace.
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Source and photos: Dawn Aerospace
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