Dawn Aerospace

Overview Dawn Aerospace is a Netherlands–New Zealand space-technology company focused on in-space propulsion and a reusable suborbital spaceplane. Founded in 2017, the company supplies “green” chemical propulsion systems that use nitrous oxide and propylene, and it is developing the Mk‑II Aurora rocket‑powered aircraft to provide high‑cadence, runway‑based access to near‑space for research, defense, and technology testing. Dawn operates from Delft (NL) and Christchurch (NZ), with additional presence in the United States and France. Business Lines Satellite Propulsion • Product family: Turn‑key SatDrive® systems for small to medium satellites, CubeDrive® for CubeSats, and modular B‑series thrusters (B1 ~1N; B20 ~20N). Systems include thrusters, tanks, valves, instruments, and control electronics and are qualified for major rideshare programs. • Propellants: Non‑toxic bipropellant architecture using nitrous oxide (N₂O) and propylene (C₃H₆). Self‑pressurizing tanks and spark ignition enable rapid cold‑start to full‑thrust firings and dual‑mode operation (bipropellant and cold‑gas) for fine pointing and proximity operations. • Flight heritage: Dawn propulsion has flown on most SpaceX Transporter rideshares and Arianespace Vega rideshares. In January 2025 the firm surpassed 100 thrusters on orbit, including 28 thrusters across six satellites on Transporter‑12. Customers include operators such as Pixxel (hyperspectral constellation), Infinite Orbits (GEO servicing), and AstroForge (deep‑space mining demonstration). • Use cases: Orbit insertion and phasing, station‑keeping, collision avoidance, de‑orbit, momentum management, and life‑extension for LEO, MEO, GEO, and deep‑space missions. Spaceplane Program • Mk‑II Aurora: A reusable, rocket‑powered aircraft designed to fly from conventional runways, carry ~10 kg payloads, and support multiple flights per day with rapid turnaround. In November 2024 Aurora reached Mach 1.12 at ~82,500 ft; in September 2024 it flew twice in one day during an envelope‑expansion campaign. In 2025 Dawn began flying external research payloads and established a partnership with the Oklahoma Air and Space Port to base U.S. operations, targeting first U.S. flights and suborbital missions later in the decade. • Missions and services: High‑altitude microgravity research, atmospheric sampling, hypersonic and ISR technology demonstrations, and rapid‑response testing in relevant environments. Facilities and Footprint • Locations: Delft, Netherlands (engineering, manufacturing, testing; sales); Christchurch, New Zealand (engineering, manufacturing, testing); business development in the United States; engineering/test presence in Toulouse, France. • Production: Vertically integrated propulsion manufacturing with additive‑manufactured structures (e.g., monolithic Inconel components), in‑house hot‑fire, vacuum, and environmental test capability; standardized interfaces and configurable tanks (metal and COPV) for 30–500+ kg satellites. Selected 2024–2025 Milestones • Surpassed 100 thrusters on orbit; propulsion on 11 of the last 12 SpaceX Transporter missions, including 28 thrusters on Transporter‑12 (Jan 2025). • Demonstrated B20 green bipropellant thrusters on orbit with N₂O/C₃H₆ propellants. • Aurora spaceplane: broke the sound barrier (Mach 1.12 at ~82,500 ft) and set a time‑to‑climb record to 20 km; flew external research payloads; executed two flights in one day; announced U.S. basing at Oklahoma Spaceport for future operations. • Delivered propulsion for deep‑space and advanced LEO programs, including AstroForge’s 2025 mission.