Rocket Plane Makes First Civil Supersonic Flight Since Concorde

On November 12, 2024, Dawn Aerospace’s autonomous Mk-II Aurora rocket-powered aircraft breached the sound barrier, marking a major advancement in the goal of civil supersonic flight. This is the first civil supersonic flight since the Concorde’s retirement in 2003, reaching Mach 1.1.

With a wingspan of 13 feet (4 meters) and a length of 16 feet (4.8 meters), the Mk-II Aurora flew uncrewed over Glentanner Aerodrome in New Zealand, which is close to Aoraki/Mount Cook. The flight broke several records when it reached an altitude of 82,500 feet (25,150 meters). It became the first supersonic aircraft designed in New Zealand, reached the highest height from New Zealand, and set a record for the fastest climb to 66,000 feet in just 118.6 seconds, which was 4.2 seconds faster than the mark set by a modified F-15 in the 1970s.

The rocket plane executed a second flight only six hours later, showcasing its operational efficiency. This milestone represents more than breaking records; it symbolizes progress in supersonic aviation. Since Concorde’s retirement, companies have sought to create quieter, greener, and more efficient supersonic aircraft. While the Mk-II Aurora remains experimental, its achievements lay the groundwork for future innovations.

Dawn Aerospace aims for the Aurora to eventually reach Mach 3.5 at an altitude of 62 miles (100 kilometers) – the edge of space. Potential applications include microgravity research, atmospheric science, Earth observation, and testing advanced high-speed flight systems.

Stefan Powell, Dawn Aerospace CEO, expressed his excitement, stating, “This achievement highlights the immense potential of rocket-powered aircraft to achieve performance never seen before. With flight test 57, we retired the final major technical risk in the Aurora program. This milestone sets the stage for Aurora to become the world’s highest and fastest-flying aircraft, paving the way for the first operational hypersonic aircraft, redefining what’s possible in aviation.” The Mk-II Aurora’s breakthrough heralds a new era for supersonic and hypersonic flight.