Dawn Aerospace has announced that its Aurora spaceplane is now available for purchase, marking the first time a space-capable vehicle has been offered for direct sale to customers. Olivia Palamountain reports

New Zealand-based Dawn Aerospace has become the first company to offer space-capable aircraft for purchase direct to customers.

The Aurora spaceplane can achieve a max altitude of 100 km (328,000 ft) - meaning it can fly above the Karman Line, located at an altitude of 100km (62m) above sea level.

First deliveries of the aircraft are expected in 2027, introducing a business model similar to commercial airlines where operators can purchase aircraft and deliver services independently of the manufacturer.
Capable of horizontal takeoff and landing, rapid refuelling and multiple flights per day, Aurora offers aircraft-like simplicity, cost-efficiency, and flexibility - enabling local operators to access high-altitudes and space from local runways on demand.

It is set to become the fastest and highest-flying aircraft ever to take off from a conventional runway, blending the extreme performance of rocket propulsion with the reusability and operational simplicity of traditional aviation.This breakthrough enables high-frequency, low-cost access to both high-altitudes and space.

“For the first time, customers have the opportunity to own an aircraft capable of reaching the edge of space,” says Stefan Powell, CEO of Dawn Aerospace. “Aurora is a game-changing platform for governments, spaceports, and new spaceplane operators to access extreme altitudes and deliver vital services and programs. It’s been over a century since commercial airlines began—now it’s time to launch the first spaceline.”In November 2024, on the 57th flight of Aurora, it reached supersonic speeds, Mach 1.12, and climbed to 82,500 feet / 25.1 km. In doing so, Aurora set a record for the fastest climb from runway to above 20km, breaking a nearly 50-year-old record previously held by the modified F-15 Streak Eagle.

Aurora Spaceplane – Key Specifications

• Maximum Altitude: 100 km (328,000 ft)

• Top Speed: Mach 3.5 (2,270 mph)

• Turnaround Time: <4 hours (enabling multiple daily flights from standard runways)

• Payload Capacity: Up to 10 kg (22 lbs.)

• Propulsion System: Bi-propellant rocket engine

• Microgravity Duration: Up to 3 minutes

• Trajectory: Customisable

• Maximum Range: 130 km (80.8 miles)

Dawn Aerospace is now coordinating inaugural deliveries of Aurora with early adopters across research, commercial and government sectors.