Angel + Grants
Small satellite operators
2016
Reusable spaceplane tech
Aerospace
Founded in 2017, the startup combined private funding, VC rounds, and government grants to develop green satellite thrusters and the reusable spaceplane Aurora, Mk-II.
Small satellite manufacturers and spaceflight partners seeking non-toxic propulsion systems were early customers.
Startup Rollercoaster
The Spark
Dawn Aerospace was founded in 2017 by Stefan Powell, Jeroen Wink, Tobias Knop, James Powell, and Robert Werner. They aimed to build sustainable space technologies, including green satellite propulsion using non-toxic fuels and a reusable suborbital spaceplane.
The Peak
The company developed bi-propellant thrusters using nitrous oxide and propylene and secured early customers in the small-satellite market. They raised significant funding (about NZ$20 million in 2022) to accelerate both propulsion system development and the Mk-II Aurora spaceplane.
The Drop
Simultaneous efforts on propulsion systems and the spaceplane stretched engineering, regulatory, and resource capacities. Certification and compliance in multiple jurisdictions for flight and safety added complexity.
The Reset
Dawn prioritized revenue from its propulsion segment, delivering green propulsion hardware first while advancing spaceplane tests incrementally. They secured government R&D grants and funding support to bolster technology development.
The Discipline
The company emphasized safety, sustainability, regulatory compliance, and performance. It maintained a lean but highly skilled global team split between New Zealand and the Netherlands. They reinvested in R&D, especially thruster qualification and green propellant advancements.
The Climb
With improved propulsion sales, granted contracts, and regulatory approvals (e.g., certification for the Mk-II Aurora), Dawn Aerospace has moved from pilot demonstrations toward full deployments and scaled production. Their spaceplane achieved supersonic flight in late 2024, reinforcing their technological credibility.
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