Dawn Aerospace Partners with All Nippon Airways Trading to Expand Spaceplane Payload Services into Japan

Apr 23

Dawn Aerospace and All Nippon Airways Trading, a member of the ANA Group, are proud to announce the signing of a MoU to explore and expand payload services using Dawn’s rocket-powered aircraft, including the Mk-II Aurora vehicle in the Japanese market.

The Mk-II Aurora is the first aircraft designed to fly to space, above 100km altitude and supersonic speeds, twice in one day. This is a world first, along with its unique capabilities to fly higher than traditional aircraft and weather balloons, but lower than satellites which unlocks many applications in microgravity and atmospheric science, as well as Earth observation and high-speed flight research.

Through this newly signed MoU, ANA Trading will accelerate the introduction of Dawn’s space demonstration service using the Mk-II Aurora spaceplane into the Japanese market. The agreement reflects Dawn Aerospace’s commitment to expanding its operations globally while deepening ties between the space industries of New Zealand and Japan.

“Our partnership will bring a whole new class of low-cost, high-cadence space access to Japan, with significant implications for local industry”, said Stefan Powell, CEO of Dawn Aerospace. “ANA Trading is the perfect partner for us in Japan due to their long history in Japanese aviation and regulation, as well as increasing footprint in space activities.”

"We see significant value in Dawn Aerospace’s reusable, runway-launched spaceplanes for expanding the scope of space utilization in Japan and promoting the creation of a more active industry" said Shinichiro Onitsuka, General Manager of ANA Trading. “Combining Dawn Aerospace’s cutting-edge technology with our deep expertise in aerospace industries will help unlock new services and research possibilities for Japanese industry, academia, and government.”

The MoU aims to pave the way for a formal partnership while delivering on near-term objectives, including marketing initiatives, feasibility assessments, and advancing commercial payload capabilities.

About Dawn Aerospace
Dawn Aerospace is developing the fastest and highest-flying aircraft ever to take off from a runway, combining the extreme performance of rocket propulsion with the reusability of conventional airplanes to enable high-frequency, low-cost access to sub-orbital space.

Its flagship aircraft, the Mk-II Aurora spaceplane, is designed to push the boundaries of aviation into space, providing a scalable and cost-effective platform for microgravity research, atmospheric studies, and aerospace innovation. In 2024, the Aurora spaceplane broke the sound barrier, reaching Mach 1.12 at 82,500 feet, and set a record for the fastest climb to 20 kilometers (65,600 feet).

In addition to its spaceplane program, Dawn Aerospace is a leading provider of green propulsion systems for satellite developers, with its technology currently on 26 operational satellites.

For more information, contact:
media@dawnaerospace.com

About All Nippon Airways Trading Co., Ltd.
As a member of the ANA Group, the company is driving the group’s strategic expansion into the aerospace sector. With knowledge of aerospace industries, ANA Trading is at the forefront of commercializing space technologies for Japan’s future.

Business: For the procurement of aircraft parts, the export, import, lease and sale of aircraft, and the planning and procurement of in-flight service goods, import and export of semiconductors and electronic components, advertising agency business, and Internet shopping Site management, etc.

Official website: https://www.anatc.com/en/
Space Business: https://www.anatc.com/en/business/space/