https://spacewatch.global/tag/stefan-powell/ AN INDEPENDENT PERSPECTIVE ON SPACE Thu, 15 Oct 2026 10:52:51 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=7.1.4 https://spacewatch.global/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/SpaceWatchGlobal-Sign-90x90.png https://spacewatch.global/tag/stefan-powell/ 32 32 https://spacewatch.global/2026/10/dawn-aerospace-advances-aurora-spaceplane-operations-after-breaking-ground-on-oklahoma-facility/ Thu, 15 Oct 2026 06:00:00 +0000 https://spacewatch.global/?p=79003 Oklahoma has broken ground on a $7.5 million facility for Dawn Aerospace at Infinity One Oklahoma Spaceport, comprising mission control and a hangar for the reusable Aurora spaceplane, due for completion in autumn 2027.]]> https://spacewatch.global/2026/10/dawn-aerospace-expands-into-germany-amid-growing-space-defense-investment/ Wed, 07 Oct 2026 06:00:00 +0000 https://spacewatch.global/?p=78673 Dawn Aerospace is expanding into Germany with plans to establish Dawn Aerospace Deutschland GmbH, as the company seeks to support the country’s growing defense and national security space sectors. The expansion intends to provide a localized supply of Dawn’s flight-proven propulsion systems while supporting the development of future space transportation capabilities.]]> https://spacewatch.global/2026/03/dawns-aurora-spaceplane-completes-radar-tracking-experiment-with-new-zealand-defense-and-navy/ Mon, 23 Mar 2026 07:00:00 +0000 https://spacewatch.global/?p=72236 The Royal New Zealand Navy, Defense Science and Technology, and Dawn Aerospace, have completed a live radar tracking experiment using a reusable rocket-powered aircraft during the Dawn Aerospace Radar Tracking Experiment. The trial, involving Dawn's Aurora spaceplane, evaluated the surveillance radar’s ability to detect and track a high-altitude, high-speed air vehicle under controlled conditions.]]> https://spacewatch.global/2025/06/dawn-aerospace-expands-to-u-s-with-reusable-spaceplane-elevates-oklahoma-as-microgravity-launch-hub/ Fri, 13 Jun 2025 08:35:12 +0000 https://spacewatch.global/?p=65780 Dawn Aerospace has signed a binding agreement with the Oklahoma Space Industry Development Authority (OSIDA) to deliver and operate its Mk-II Aurora spaceplane from the Oklahoma Air and Space Port in Burns Flat by 2027. ]]> https://spacewatch.global/2025/05/dawn-aerospace-begins-taking-orders-for-aurora-spaceplane/ Fri, 23 May 2025 06:00:00 +0000 https://spacewatch.global/?p=65451 Dawn Aerospace has announced that its Aurora spaceplane is now available for purchase, with first deliveries expected in 2027. This marks the first time a space-capable vehicle has been offered for direct sale to customers.]]> https://spacewatch.global/2024/10/dawn-aerospace-flies-aurora-twice-within-8-hours/ Mon, 07 Oct 2024 06:00:00 +0000 https://spacewatch.global/?p=61543 Dawn Aerospace has demonstrated the rapid reusability of its rocket-powered aircraft, the Mk-II Aurora, with two flights within 8 hours. The flights took place from Glentanner Aerodrome on the South Island of New Zealand, reaching speeds of Mach 0.9, 950km/h, and a maximum altitude of 63,000 ft. These were the 8th and 9th flights of the Mk-II Aurora under rocket power.  ]]> https://spacewatch.global/2024/08/dawn-aerospace-completes-flight-test-of-its-mk-ii-aircraft/ Wed, 07 Aug 2024 06:00:40 +0000 https://spacewatch.global/?p=56489 Dawn Aerospace has announced the completion of another flight test campaign of its Mk-II rocket-powered aircraft. The campaign (dubbed Campaign 2-2) saw three flights completed in late July. In flight three, Dawn achieved a maximum speed and altitude of Mach 0.92 (967 km/h) and 50,000ft (15.1km). This represents 3x and 5x of what it achieved in the previous campaign.]]> https://spacewatch.global/2024/08/dawn-unveils-on-orbit-docking-and-refueling-capabilities/ Fri, 02 Aug 2024 06:00:39 +0000 https://spacewatch.global/?p=56436 Dawn Aerospace has disclosed its Docking and Fluid Transfer (DFT) port for SatDrive propulsion systems to enable in-space refueling for Dawn customers. The DFT leverages Dawn’s existing flight-proven components such as valving common to the B20 thruster. Over 200 such valves are already in space. As a result, multiple SatDrive customers are in line to use the DFT port, the first of which will tentatively launch in 2025.]]> https://spacewatch.global/2023/11/dawn-aerospace-expands-operations-to-france/ Thu, 16 Nov 2023 07:00:38 +0000 https://spacewatch.global/?p=52317 Dawn Aerospace, a space transportation company, announced on the 14th of November the formation of a new subsidiary Dawn Aerospace France SAS based in Toulouse. The office will initially focus on customer support, business development and research and development (R&D). Dawn Aerospace already has offices based in the Netherlands, New Zealand and the USA. ]]> https://spacewatch.global/2023/04/mk-ii-aurora-achieves-rocket-powered-flight/ Fri, 07 Apr 2023 06:00:22 +0000 https://spacewatch.global/?p=47876 Dawn Aerospace, a space transportation company with operations in New Zealand, the Netherlands, and the United States, has announced the successful completion of the first rocket-powered flight campaign of its spaceplane, the Mk-II Aurora. The flights occurred at Glentanner Aerodrome on the 29, 30, and 31 March. For the Company, the accomplishment signifies a major milestone in its mission to revolutionize space access as well and thus provide end-to-end space transportation.]]> https://spacewatch.global/2023/03/dawn-aerospace-receives-certification-for-mk-ii-aurora/ Mon, 27 Mar 2023 06:00:04 +0000 https://spacewatch.global/?p=47522 Dawn Aerospace has received certification from the Civil Aviation Authority of New Zealand (CAA) for the imminent rocket-powered flight campaign of its Mk-II Aurora spaceplane. Mk-II Aurora's mission is to fly to space twice in a day and, in doing so, demonstrate that rocket-powered systems can be as reusable as commercial aircraft]]> https://spacewatch.global/2023/03/dawn-aerospace-and-lynk-partner-for-satellite-propulsion-systems/ Tue, 14 Mar 2023 07:00:00 +0000 https://spacewatch.global/?p=47189