To improve space travel, Dawn Aerospace founders Jeroen Wink, James Powell, Tobias Knop, and Robert Werner first looked at satellites. We all use satellites for our internet, GPS and weather apps, but they are often launched into space with single-use rockets and they use hydrazine to propel themselves – a highly toxic and explosive chemical. To solve this challenge, Dawn Aerospace developed a more sustainable propellant for satellites and new transportation planes that can bring satellites into orbit without the use of rockets.
Student project
The first seed for Dawn Aerospace was planted when the founders worked together on a student project for their Aerospace Engineering program at Delft University. They developed several rockets and went to Spain to test them, but were quite discouraged when they saw their month’s work land into the ocean within minutes. They decided to work on ways to reduce this waste and environmental impact, and in 2017, Dawn Aerospace was founded.
Their first product was the green propellant for satellites, made out of nitrous oxide and propylene. This mixture can replace hydrazine and thus reduce emissions, as well as reduce the risk of explosions. At the moment, Dawn Aerospace is working on their new MK-II Aurora planes that can transport small nanosatellites into orbit. The main advantage of the planes is that they can be launched from traditional runways instead of needing extensive rocket launch sites.
By focussing on green propulsion, we hope to solve a critical factor in both technical and environmental challenges in the space industry”
70 thrusters
Since the start, Dawn Aerospace fills a clear need in the space sector, as they gained a lot of interest from organisations like the European Space Agency and the Indian space organisation Pixxel. As of last year, more than 111 of Dawn Aerospace’s thrusters have been sent into space, and they plan to make it to 150 in 2025. To fully unlock their potential, Dawn Aerospace expanded their business to New Zealand, where they are able to also test more products. In November, they successfully tested their MK-II Aurora plane from here and delivered nanosatellites to measure air pollution in orbit..
Our technology is paving the way for scientific advancements in Earth observation, climate monitoring, and space exploration. These efforts are instrumental in unlocking new possibilities for research and global connectivity.’
Scale operations
Since the founders were students at Delft University, they quickly found their way to YES!Delft after they started. With the help of the YES!Delft Accelerator program, they were able to scale operations, connect with vital networks and accelerate the company’s early growth.
They now have raised 20 million in funding from a mix of public and private investors, and they plan to use this to further develop their green propulsion technology and their transporter planes in the next months. Beyond that, they hope to make a difference in all kinds of space technology, from in-space refuelling capabilities to satellite deorbiting and end-of-life solutions.
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