The MK-II Aurora, developed by New Zealand-based Dawn Aerospace, represents a groundbreaking innovation in the realm of suborbital space transportation. As the first stage demonstrator for their two-stage-to-orbit vehicle, the MK-II Aurora is a remotely-piloted, reusable rocket plane designed to operate with aircraft-like ease and efficiency. The plane takes off horizontally from a conventional runway, achieves a parabolic trajectory at speeds exceeding Mach 3, and glides back to either the departure site or a downrange location. The Aurora features a 3U payload volume, making it versatile for a multitude of missions ranging from earth observation and space weather research to in-space science and technology development.

Dawn Aerospace has marked significant milestones in their development roadmap, having successfully completed their first series of rocket-powered flights. Notably, the company received certification from the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) of New Zealand, which allows supersonic flights at unlimited speeds and enables the aircraft to be flown beyond the pilot's line of sight without requiring specially restricted airspace. This certification is unprecedented and underscores the safety and reliability of the MK-II Aurora, paving the way for its operations to merge conventional aviation with rocketry.

The MK-II Aurora is equipped with an advanced rocket engine designed for flexibility and performance. Using storable propellants like high-test peroxide (HTP) and kerosene, the engine is highly throttleable and capable of being restarted, which is crucial for efficient aerospace operations. The room-temperature storable propellants do not suffer from the common issues of boil-off or microcracking in cryogenic tanks, ensuring near-infinite service life. These features, combined with the plane's extensive test flight history and build-up approach towards reaching the Karman line, highlight the MK-II Aurora’s potential to revolutionize suborbital space travel.