Dawn Aerospace

Dawn Aerospace is a space transportation company operating in New Zealand, the Netherlands, and the US. It focuses on developing sustainable, reusable space technologies, including satellite propulsion systems and spaceplanes. Dawn's primary offerings include green propulsion systems for various satellites and reusable spaceplanes.

Dawn's satellite propulsion technology uses non-toxic propellants and had been deployed on eight operational spacecraft as of December 2022. These systems have flown on rockets such as SpaceX’s Falcon 9, Arianespace’s Vega, and the Russian Soyuz rocket.

As of 2024, Dawn Aerospace was developing the Mk-II Aurora, a larger orbital-class reusable spaceplane intended to deliver satellites into low-Earth orbit. The Mk-II Aurora had completed over 40 test flights using jet engines since 2021. In April 2023, Dawn conducted the first three rocket-powered test flights of the Mk-II Aurora, reaching altitudes of about 1,800 m and speeds of 315 kmph. The company had aims to eventually fly the Mk-II Aurora to an altitude of 100 km, above the internationally recognized boundary of space and to achieve the feat of flying to space twice in a single day.

Furthermore, in August 2024, Dawn Aerospace unveiled its Docking and Fluid Transfer (DFT) port for propulsion systems to provide in-space refueling services for Dawn’s customers. The DFT port would replace standard manual fill/drain valves used for propellant loading and would comprise two pressurized propellants, nitrous oxide, and propene or ethane, as well as power and data connections. Dawn reported that the DFT would be integrated with propulsion systems from 2025. 

Key customers and partnerships

Dawn Aerospace has formed several strategic partnerships to enhance its propulsion systems and technology. These include a cooperation agreement with Rogue Space for the provision of propulsion systems related to the Orbot spacecraft programs in May 2021, a collaboration with Orbit Fab to develop in-space refueling technology in November 2021, and a partnership with Sidus Space to implement Dawn Aerospace’s propulsion solutions into Sidus’ LizzieSat in November 2022. 

Furthermore, in March 2023, Dawn Aerospace partnered with Lynk for the provision of satellite propulsion systems. The company also joined forces with Scout Space for a suborbital spaceplane surveillance demonstration in August 2024.

In October 2024, it partnered with Perigee Aerospace to develop and provide satellite green-propulsion systems in Korea.