# Mk-II Aurora (DD-508)

> The Mk-II Aurora is a small, remotely piloted, reusable suborbital spaceplane built by New Zealand-based Dawn Aerospace. It takes off and lands horizontally on ordinary runways and is designed to eventually exceed 100 km. Its first rocket-powered flights were on March 29-31, 2023, at Glentanner Aerodrome on New Zealand's South Island, reaching about 315 km/h (196 mph); in November 2024 it flew supersonic. The footage, credited to cora.a.harris, shows the spaceplane.

- Department: Space (also Tech)
- First published: 2025-03-08
- Last updated: 2025-03-08
- Permalink: https://detailenjoyer.com/case/mk-ii-aurora/
- Author: Marcus Easterling (DetailEnjoyer), The Detail Department

## On the timeline

- **March 29, 2023**: First rocket-powered flight

Full timeline: https://detailenjoyer.com/timeline/?case=mk-ii-aurora

## Quick facts

- **DD-508-F01**: Dawn Aerospace. _(Write-up · Exhibit A (Maker))_
- **DD-508-F02**: Horizontal, runway. _(Write-up · Exhibit B (Takeoff))_

## Write-up

Dawn Aerospace's Mk-II Aurora takes off from a runway on rocket power. It first flew under rocket power in March 2023.

1. **Maker**: Dawn Aerospace.
2. **Takeoff**: Horizontal, runway.
3. **Goal**: Above 100 km.
4. **First rocket flights**: March 29-31, 2023.
5. **Speed**: About 315 km/h.

## Related case files

- [It IS Rocket Science (DD-257)](https://detailenjoyer.com/case/it-is-rocket-science/): I linked more spaceplanes

## Reel vs. record

- **Note**: None needed.

## Video: Mk-II Aurora: Dawn Aerospace's Mk-II Aurora Takes off From a Runway on Rocket Power

- Duration: 27.2 s · Published: 2025-03-08
- File: https://detailenjoyer.com/assets/videos/DG8wKC0Slzv.mp4

### Transcript

Did you know? The Mark II Aurora is a suborbital spaceplane developed by Dawn Aerospace, designed to achieve rapid, reusable access to space. This remotely piloted vehicle takes off and lands horizontally from conventional runways, aiming to reach altitudes above 100 kilometers, or 62 miles, the internationally recognized boundary of space. In March 2023, the Mark II Aurora successfully completed its first rocket-powered test flights over New Zealand's South Island, reaching speeds up to 196 miles per hour, or 315 kilometers per hour. NOW YOU KNOW!

## Questions & answers

**Q: Maker?**  
A: New Zealand. _(Source: Write-up · Exhibit A (Maker) · Wikipedia: Dawn Aerospace)_

**Q: How does it take off?**  
A: Horizontal. _(Source: Write-up · Exhibit B (Takeoff) · Space.com: Dawn Aerospace space plane aces first rocket-powered flights)_

**Q: First rocket flights?**  
A: Glentanner. _(Source: Write-up · Exhibit C (Goal) · Wikipedia: Dawn Aerospace)_

**Q: Target altitude?**  
A: Space. _(Source: Write-up · Exhibit D (First rocket flights) · Space.com: Dawn Aerospace space plane aces first rocket-powered flights)_

**Q: Piloted how?**  
A: Uncrewed. _(Source: Write-up · Exhibit E (Speed) · Space.com: Dawn Aerospace space plane aces first rocket-powered flights)_

## Sources

- [Wikipedia: Dawn Aerospace](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dawn_Aerospace)
- [Space.com: Dawn Aerospace space plane aces first rocket-powered flights](https://www.space.com/dawn-aerospace-space-plane-first-rocket-powered-flights-video)

## Cite this case file

Easterling, Marcus. "Mk-II Aurora." The Detail Department (DetailEnjoyer), case file DD-508, last updated Mar 8, 2025. https://detailenjoyer.com/case/mk-ii-aurora/