For Clarity of Spaceplanes and Rocket-Powered Aircraft:
Last updated 1 January 2026
"Is it a plane or a rocket?" – We get this a lot, so let us help clarify this emerging space as best we can. More scope and disclaimer information here.
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Vehicle​
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A vehicle is any machine designed to transport people or payloads from one place to another.
Aircraft, rockets, spacecraft, and spaceplanes are all types of vehicles.
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Aircraft
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An aircraft is a vehicle that is capable of sustained flight within Earth’s atmosphere and operates under aviation principles (such as aerodynamic lift).
Aircraft typically take off and land on runways and are subject to aviation certification and operational frameworks.
Spaceplane
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A spaceplane is a vehicle designed to operate both within Earth’s atmosphere and at the boundary of space.
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Spaceplanes may share characteristics with aircraft, spacecraft, or both, depending on their design and method of operation.
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Spaceplanes are defined by mission profile rather than propulsion method. As a result, spaceplanes are not a single regulatory or technical category, and may include vehicles that are aircraft-like, rocket-launched, or hybrid in nature.
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In this vein, not all spaceplanes are aircraft. Some historical spaceplanes relied primarily on rocket launch systems and did not take off or land as conventional aircraft.
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Suborbital Spaceplane
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A suborbital spaceplane is a spaceplane that reaches space (or near-space) without entering Earth orbit.
It follows a suborbital trajectory ascending to high altitude before returning to Earth, rather than remaining in continuous orbit around the planet.
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Rocket-Powered Aircraft
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A rocket-powered aircraft is a rare class of aircraft that:
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- takes off and lands horizontally from a runway
- operates primarily under aerodynamic flight within the atmosphere
- uses rocket propulsion to achieve extreme altitude, speed, or space-adjacent flight
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Rocket-powered aircraft often sit at the intersection of aircraft and spaceplane definitions. Because they retain runway operations and aerodynamic control throughout flight, they are considered aircraft, while also potentially qualifying as a type of spaceplane depending on their mission envelope.
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The X-15 is the leading vehicle in this rare category. It is worth noting it does not universally get referred to as a spaceplane as it was air-launched from a B-52.
More definitions
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The Mission​
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The process of operating the system to transport a 6kg payload to an altitude of 100km. It begins with pre-flight checks and closes with post-flight checks.
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Also known as: Flight Operations
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The System
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All equipment required to conduct the mission
Ground Segment
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All terrestrial equipment used to conduct the mission (e.g., Mission Control, Tracking Station, Propulsion Support).
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Also known as: Ground System, Associated Elements
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Air Segment
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All equipment transported to 100km altitude, including both the aircraft and the payload.
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Crew
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All personnel required to conduct the mission.
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Remote Crew
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The specific personnel operating the aircraft during the flight phases.
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Remote Pilot
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The individual responsible for actioning control inputs to the aircraft.
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Also known as: Brazilian Chuck Yeager
Application to Dawn Aerospace
The Aurora vehicle developed by Dawn Aerospace is a both a rocket-powered aircraft and a suborbital spaceplane.
Aurora is designed to:
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Take off and land horizontally from conventional runways
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Operate under existing aviation certification and regulatory frameworks
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Reach the edge of space – 100 km, 328,000 ft, aka the Kármán line
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Return to Earth without entering orbit
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Enable rapid reuse, including the capability for multiple flights per day
Dawn Aerospace commonly refer to Aurora as the Aurora spaceplane, a rocket-powered aircraft.
Aurora is not an orbital vehicle.
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Dawn Aerospace’s spaceplane program may in future include orbital spaceplanes, a natural progression from suborbital spaceplanes.
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Dawn’s long-term vision is to scale access to space through aircraft-style operations, using existing airports as spaceports rather than relying on bespoke launch complexes.
A Note on Historical Context
Some vehicles commonly described as “spaceplanes,” such as the Space Shuttle, did not take off from runways and were launched vertically using rocket boosters. As such, while they exhibited some spaceplane-like characteristics, they were not aircraft in the conventional aviation sense.
Dawn’s approach differs fundamentally: it is centred on runway-based operations, aircraft-style certification pathways, and repeatable, high-frequency flight.
Scope and Disclaimer
This page is provided by Dawn Aerospace for general informational purposes only, to support clarity and shared understanding of commonly used terminology relating to spaceplanes and rocket-powered aircraft.
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The terms and descriptions presented here reflect Dawn Aerospace’s current usage and understanding of these concepts within the context of its own technology, programs, and communications, at the time of publication.
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These definitions are not intended to be exhaustive, authoritative, or universally binding, nor do they represent formal legal, regulatory, or contractual classifications. Terminology in this domain is evolving, and interpretations may differ across jurisdictions, regulatory bodies, and industry participants.
No Legal or Contractual Effect
This page does not:
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create any legal rights or obligations,
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form part of any contract, agreement, or offer,
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amend or override the terms of any existing or future agreement,
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constitute legal, regulatory, or technical advice, or
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define or guarantee the regulatory classification, certification status, or operational permissions of any vehicle.
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Any legally binding definitions, representations, or obligations are governed solely by the terms of applicable contracts, regulatory approvals, and authoritative determinations by relevant authorities.
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Updates and Evolution
As spaceflight technologies, regulatory frameworks, and industry conventions continue to develop, Dawn Aerospace may update or refine this page to reflect improved clarity or evolving understanding.
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Version: 0.1, initial publication on 1 January 2026
