Dawn Aerospace spaceplane has overcome another barrier

Как сообщается, частной космической транспортной компании Dawn Aerospace удалось добиться определенного прогресса в создании многоразового суборбитального космического Aircraft Aurora. Во время крайнего испытательного полета их разработка достигла показателя трансзвуковой скорости в 0,92 Маха, поднявшись на высоту около 15 000 м.


This result was recorded using an unmanned aerial vehicle equipped with a Mk-II rocket engine as part of the next stage of the Campaign 2-2 program. It exceeded the previous one almost five times and, accordingly, brought the company closer to its intended goal.


At the same time, it became known that the next stage of testing, Campaign 2-3, will start in September. Its main goal is to enable the Aerospace spacecraft to reach supersonic speed. In addition, the company seeks to record the fact that their vehicle rises and moves at an altitude of over 100 km twice within one day. This will become a kind of record in the aerospace field and will demonstrate the reliability of the aircraft.

The events will involve both an already proven aircraft with the Mk-IIA, which will fly supersonic and confirm the effectiveness of the design in new ranges, and an aircraft with the Mk-IIB power plant. The latter, in comparison with previous versions, demonstrates improved capabilities. There is 10% more thrust and 30% more total impulse. It is her responsibility to overcome the supersonic barrier.


Ultimately, the goal of the fledgling startup, much like NASA's X-15 program of the 1950s and 1960s, is to gradually build an efficient, reusable spaceplane. Starting with a regular model with standard characteristics, improve it by adding innovative developments and components at each subsequent stage. The result is a rocket-powered spacecraft that combines the performance of a launch vehicle with the predictability of a conventional aircraft.