Dawn Aerospace partners with Oklahoma Space Port to launch spaceplane,

Dutch-New Zealand company Dawn Aerospace has signed a binding partnership with the Oklahoma Space Industry Development Authority (OSIDA) to operate a Mk II Aurora space plane at the Oklahoma Air and Space Port in Burns Flat. The Aurora is scheduled for delivery to Oklahoma in 2027 with flights to space commending that same year. The partners say they aim to transform Oklahoma into a launch point for microgravity research in the USA.

The Oklahoma Space Port, established in 1999, aims to become one of America’s busiest suborbital launch sites, solidifying its role as a hub for microgravity research, atmospheric studies, and satellite technology testing. Microgravity research is critical because it allows scientists to study physical and biological processes in ways that are impossible on Earth. In a weightless environment, fundamental forces like convection and gravity-driven fluid motion disappear, providing new insights into material science and biomedical research. Frequent and low-cost access to microgravity will significantly accelerate discoveries, with potential breakthroughs in areas such as cancer and liver disease drug development, and advanced materials research.

A rocket-powered, remote-piloted aircraft, the Aurora is designed to carry payloads of up to 11 lbs (5 kg) to altitudes of 330,000 feet (100 km) and has a rapid turnaround time between missions of just four hours. Dawn Aerospace describes the Aurora as the fastest, highest-flying rocket-powered aircraft to launch from a runway, and its aim with the Aurora is to be the first aircraft to reach the von Karman line – 100 km, the official altitude at which space begins – twice in one day.

Aurora has already flown 58 times and achieved Mach 1.12 at 82,500ft in November 2024 and set a ‘time to climb’ world record of 118.6 seconds to 20 km altitude, surpassing a record held by the modified F-15 Streak Eagle set in 1975.

“Our mission is to push the boundaries of aviation all the way to space, and Oklahoma is a perfect place in the United States to make that happen,” said Stefan Powell, CEO, and founder of Dawn Aerospace. “By developing a rapidly reusable aircraft, we’re bringing the efficiency of aviation to spaceflight—dramatically increasing flight frequency, cutting costs, and accelerating breakthroughs in science and space research that deliver critical insights and services for a better future.”

“Oklahoma is positioned to be at the forefront of the next space frontier and a hub for national defense,” said Oklahoma Lt. Governor Matt Pinnell. “With targeted investment, the state is moving to secure frequent and reliable space access and is set to become America’s busiest suborbital launch site. Launching from Burns Flat will unlock a new class of microgravity research, national security applications, and commercial innovation.”

The Aurora’s development will continue through 2027, with manufacturing and flight testing conducted at Dawn’s R&D facilities in Christchurch, New Zealand.