Details: Parent Category: News; Category: Science; Published: 25 August 2021

Category : News

Author: Dawn Aerospace

Article Index

Dawn Aerospace makes its first test flight of the Mk-II Aurora. and the short video has some great shots.

Dawn Aerospace, a New Zealand-Dutch space transportation company, has conducted five flights of the company’s Mk-II Aurora suborbital spaceplane.

Dawn Aerospace Flight Testing Commences – Five Flights Complete

Dawn Aerospace, a New Zealand-Dutch space transportation company, has conducted five flights of the company’s Mk-II Aurora suborbital spaceplane. The flights were to assess the airframe and avionics of the vehicle, and were conducted using surrogate jet engines.

The campaign was run from Glentanner Aerodrome in New Zealand’s South Island. Taxi testing commenced in early July and five flights occurred between the 28th and 30th of July, reaching altitudes of 3,400 feet.

Dawn is creating reusable and sustainable space technologies – suborbital and orbital rocket-powered planes – that operate much like a fleet of aircraft, taking off and landing horizontally at airports.

Mk-II is a suborbital plane designed to fly 100 km above the Earth, and aims to be the first vehicle to access space multiple times per day. The vehicle serves as a technology demonstrator for the two-stage-to-orbit-vehicle, the Mk-III. Mk-II will also be used to capture atmospheric data used for weather and climate modelling, and to conduct scientific research and technology demonstrations.

“Dawn is focussed on sustainable and scalable access to space and our Mk-II vehicle is entirely reusable,” said Stefan Powell, CEO. “The team have successfully captured extensive data enabling further R&D on the capability of Mk-II. I’m hugely proud of our engineering team for designing and building a vehicle that flies beautifully first time and just as predicted. We are delighted with the results and demonstrating rapid turnaround – we conducted five flights within three days, and two flights occurred within ninety minutes of each other.”

On December 9 2020, Dawn announced the New Zealand Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) had granted Dawn a certificate to fly Mk-II Aurora spaceplane from a conventional airport without exclusive airspace restrictions.

“We were successful in demonstrating our ability to integrate with other airspace operators,” said Powell. “Fixed-wing aircraft and local helicopter companies continued their operations unaffected. It’s fantastic being part of the Glentanner Aerodrome community.”

Dawn tests various vehicles and systems in a number of locations across New Zealand’s South Island, and has agreements in place with a number of potential launch locations globally – the view is to one-day emulate the aviation-industry’s model and, in doing so, provide unprecedented access to space; operating globally with key hubs across the world.

“Viewing opportunities will be publicly notified in future, but for now we’re allowing our operational team to focus on the important task at hand,” said Powell.

Initial testing was conducted using surrogate jet engines. The Mk-II will be fitted with a rocket engine which is already in the later stages of testing. This will unlock higher performance for supersonic and high-altitude testing of the vehicle.

https://www.dawnaerospace.com/blog/mkii-flight-testing-commences

Want to fly the Auroa Dawn Aerospace are looking for pilots.

Dawn Aerospace is recruiting a Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPA — sometimes called UAV) pilot to join our flight operations team in New Zealand. We're looking for someone with an adventurous spirit who can support us as we push the envelope. This is a unique opportunity to join an exciting, fast-growing company in the space industry and fly the next generation of suborbital, reusable spaceplanes.

You are a sharp, precise and talented pilot. Dawn operate a range of aircraft, and you love getting out there and systematically putting our machines through their paces. While flying, you will work with our crew to ensure accurate data is collected and safe, successful missions are flown. Though commercial RPA experience is not necessary, all applicants will be required to illustrate their piloting capability through real-world or video illustration. All shortlisted applicants will be required to demonstrate their skills by flying complex, high-speed aircraft in our simulator.

If you have experience with aircraft design, flight tests, data analysis, UAV construction, maintenance, or other skills you want to apply at Dawn, this has the potential to be a full-time role. Otherwise, it will be a part-time role with a minimum of 9 paid days per month. The role will require travel and nights away from Christchurch, typically not exceeding 8 nights per month.

Responsibilities

Piloting all Dawn Aerospace vehicles as a part of the operations team.
Working with engineering teams to develop aircraft systems including autonomous and other advanced modes.
Assessing handling qualities, characteristics and performance of new aircraft.
Simulator development including testing new designs.

Required experience

At least 50 hours flight time in large fixed-wing RPAs or 10 years’ part-time experience.
Experience in working with multidisciplinary teams.
Demonstrated ability to flexibly and positively deal with evolving project requirements and constraints.
Ability to filter information to focus on key aspects and maintain and close attention to detail.

Desired experience

Experience with high-speed, high-performance RPAs.
Experience with the aircraft design process.
5+ years of experience in the design of complex aircraft systems.
Familiarity with and experience operating under CAA Part 102.
CAA Part 102 license.
A pilot licence issued under Part 61, a recreational micro-light or glider pilot certificate issued by a Part 149 organisation.
100+ hours large fixed-wing RPA or large model aircraft pilot experience.
VLOS, EVLOS and/or FPV experience.
Experience flying new, novel designs.