Germany is embarking on the development of a hypersonic spaceplane. The Federal Office of Equipment, Information Technology, and In-Service Support (BAAINBw) under the German Ministry of Defense has signed a contract with the startup POLARIS Spaceplanes to officially develop the next-generation spaceplane ‘Aurora’, capable of carrying up to 1 ton of cargo by 2028. This project is intended to enhance Germany’s aerospace and defense capabilities while being viewed as a comprehensive investment in multipurpose missions such as small satellite launches, hypersonic tests, and reconnaissance.
The Aurora spaceplane is designed as a fully reusable two-stage structure capable of horizontal takeoff and landing, performing a variety of roles from orbital entry to high-speed flight tests. POLARIS has applied a dual propulsion system that combines turbofans and rockets, utilizing four turbofan engines for flight within the atmosphere and switching to two rocket engines for orbital entry to maximize speed. This hybrid design enables airport-based operations, significantly reducing infrastructure burdens and operational costs.
Notably, POLARIS’s self-developed aerospike (AS-1) engine successfully demonstrated its capabilities in an ignition test during flight last November. This engine replaces the traditional bell-shaped rocket nozzle, which loses efficiency at varying altitudes, by maintaining fuel efficiency and thrust across different altitudes.
Another crucial aspect of Aurora’s development is the aerial refueling technology. POLARIS is preparing an in-flight refueling system to support long-range hypersonic flights and large cargo transport. Once this feature is completed, it is expected to secure competitiveness not only for military operations but also in the international satellite transportation market.
POLARIS was established as a startup through a spin-off from the German Aerospace Center (DLR) in 2019. To date, it has completed over 100 test flights with prototypes MIRA II and III, measuring 5 meters in length and weighing 240 kilograms. By 2025, the company plans to test-fly a prototype up to 8 meters long and weighing up to 2 tons, aiming for the commercial launch of Aurora by 2028 through gradual model expansion.
This contract underscores Germany’s ambition to lead hypersonic and aerospace technologies within Europe. BAAINBw is considering options that encompass design contracts for Aurora, including production and flight testing, as well as expanding technological cooperation with EU allies in the future. Additionally, POLARIS has secured an additional €7.1 million in private investment, further accelerating commercialization efforts.
With the rapid growth of hypersonic flight and the small satellite market, Germany’s move goes beyond mere technological development to serve as a strategic foundation that encompasses defense, science, and commerce. The Aurora, with its multi-layered applicability ranging from military reconnaissance to experimental high-speed transport and space infrastructure development, is being closely watched to see if it can soar through German airspace by 2028.