Dawn Aerospace, an innovative space transportation company, has been making significant strides in the aerospace industry since its establishment in 2016. The company, co-founded by Stefan Powell, Jeroen Wink, James Powell, Tobias Knop, and Robert Werner, is headquartered in Christchurch, New Zealand, and operates additional bases in the Netherlands and the United States.
The company’s primary focus lies in the development of satellite propulsion systems and uncrewed suborbital spaceplanes. Their propulsion systems are notable for using green fuel and non-toxic materials. Key products in this area include the B20 thruster, a 20 newton thruster that uses nitrous oxide and propylene, and the B1 thruster, a 1 newton thruster for satellites made from Inconel 718. These innovations are significant as they replace hydrazine, a highly toxic chemical, thus allowing for quicker and safer launches.
Dawn Aerospace’s Mk-II Aurora, unveiled in July 2020, is a groundbreaking sub-scale suborbital spaceplane capable of flying up to altitudes of over 100km multiple times a day. It can take off and land at standard airports, alongside normal aircraft, and flies horizontally at altitudes between 50km and 80km. The Mk-II Aurora serves as a technology demonstrator for the Mk-III Aurora and aids scientific research by accessing parts of the Earth’s atmosphere that are too high for regular aircraft or balloons and too low for satellites. The spaceplane, which has completed over 50 test flights, can reach a maximum speed of over Mach 3, has a take-off weight of 280kg, and an empty weight of 75kg. It uses high-test peroxide (HTP) and kerosene as propellants and can accommodate payloads less than 4kg. After completing a flight, it can be quickly refueled and flown again, making it capable of multiple flights in a day.
Looking ahead, Dawn Aerospace plans to develop the Mk-III Aurora, which will have a larger payload capacity and be capable of delivering satellites weighing 50kg – 100kg into orbit. This spaceplane will be 94% reusable and will use an expendable second stage for satellite delivery.
In terms of funding and business development, Dawn Aerospace has been proactive and successful. The company raised $3.5 million in seed funding in 2018 and received further investment in 2021. Recently, Dawn raised $20 million to expand its in-space propulsion products and extend spaceplane development. This funding will support the development of a new orbital spaceplane and provide thrusters for satellites traveling in geostationary and lunar orbit. Dawn’s total funding has reached $21.2 million since its inception, with the latest investment raising its valuation to 170 million New Zealand dollars. Revenue from its satellite propulsion business and grants from government agencies like the New Zealand Ministry of Business Innovation and Employment and the European Space Agency have also contributed to its funding.
Dawn places a strategic importance on generating customer revenue, with a focus on hardware in orbit. In 2022, Dawn closed deals valued at $22 million and is negotiating additional deals with a potential value of $150 million. Dawn Aerospace’s propulsion systems have already seen significant use, with 33 thrusters flown on eight satellites and another 12 satellites scheduled to launch with Dawn thrusters.
Dawn Aerospace’s recent expansion into France with the formation of Dawn Aerospace France SAS in Toulouse, marks a significant step in the company’s global expansion. The Toulouse office will focus on customer support, business development, and research and development.
In summary, Dawn Aerospace is a dynamic and forward-thinking company in the space industry, characterized by its innovative propulsion systems, development of the reusable Mk-II Aurora spaceplane, and its expanding global footprint. With its focus on environmentally friendly technologies, rapid reusability, and strategic business development, Dawn Aerospace is well-positioned to be a key player in the future of space exploration and satellite technology.
