Rocket Plane Achieves First Civilian Supersonic Flight Since Concorde

The dream of commercial supersonic flight is inching closer to reality. On November 12, 2024, Dawn Aerospace’s 16-ft (4.8-m) autonomous Mk-II Aurora rocket-powered plane reached Mach 1.1, officially breaking the sound barrier.

Since the Concorde’s retirement in 2003, civil supersonic travel has largely faded into history. However, a new wave of startups has emerged, aiming to build faster, quieter, and more efficient supersonic aircraft. Dawn Aerospace’s recent success marks a tangible step forward, even if the flight involved an uncrewed experimental craft weighing 880 lb (200 kg) with a 13-ft (4-m) wingspan.

Mk-II Aurora Sets Records in Supersonic Flights Over New Zealand

Flying over New Zealand’s Glentanner Aerodrome near Aoraki/Mount Cook, the Mk-II Aurora climbed to 82,500 ft (25,150 m) while achieving supersonic speeds. Dawn Aerospace reported that the craft set multiple records, including being the first supersonic aircraft designed and built in New Zealand and the fastest ascent to 66,000 ft (20 km), completing the climb in just 118.6 seconds—4.2 seconds faster than a modified F-15 in the 1970s. Remarkably, the Mk-II Aurora completed a second flight only six hours later.

Looking ahead, the Mk-II Aurora is expected to reach Mach 3.5 and soar to the edge of space at 62 miles (100 km). The company envisions the aircraft supporting microgravity research, atmospheric science, Earth observation, and high-speed flight experiments.

“This achievement showcases the extraordinary potential of rocket-powered aircraft,” said Stefan Powell, CEO of Dawn Aerospace. “With flight test 57, we resolved the final technical risk in the Aurora program: stability during the transonic phase. Aurora is now confirmed as the highest climb-rate vehicle ever, setting the stage for it to become the world’s fastest and highest-flying aircraft. This milestone is a critical step toward operational hypersonic aviation, redefining what’s possible in aerospace innovation.”

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