Rocket-powered spaceplane aces test flight.
Dawn Aerospace has successfully tested a prototype rocket-powered spaceplane, which can decrease the cost of getting into Earth's orbit or beyond. The drone-like Mk II can launch cargo, fly up to 100 km to deposit payloads, and return to its runway. The company hopes to be the first to do so. The Mk III will include a non-reusable second stage that will help lift payloads of up to a ton into suborbital flight and 250kg into orbit itself. Dawn Aerospace operates out of the US, New Zealand, and the Netherlands.