Honda Makes History with First Successful Launch and Vertical Landing of Its Reusable Rocket
In a major leap for Japan’s space ambitions, Honda R&D’s experimental rocket soared nearly 300 m before returning with pinpoint landing precision.
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| Image Credit: Honda |
Honda R&D, the innovative arm of Honda Motor, has quietly emerged as the first company outside the United States and China to demonstrate a successful vertical launch and landing of a reusable rocket prototype. On June 17, at its test facility in Taiki Town, Hokkaido, the experimental vehicle—measuring around 6.3 m in length—ascended to approximately 271.4 m (890 ft) before touching down within just 37 cm of its planned target. The entire flight lasted 56.6 seconds, signaling a major technological breakthrough for the Japanese automaker.
This milestone marks a pivotal moment in Honda’s ambitious six-year space technology endeavor, which began in 2021. The company has leveraged its deep expertise in combustion systems and automated control to develop core technologies essential for rocket reusability—namely flight stability during ascent and descent, and precise landing systems. The Taiki test facility, known as a developing “space town,” has been crucial in providing the infrastructure and local support needed for such advanced aerospace trials.
While Honda has not yet announced plans for commercial deployment, the project aligns with its stated goal of achieving suborbital launch capability by 2029. A suborbital launch—reaching above the Kármán line, roughly 100 km altitude—could pave the way for satellite deployment and broader data service applications. Honda’s move mirrors a growing trend among automakers like Toyota, GM, and Hyundai-Kia to explore space ventures, drawing on expertise in precision engineering and advanced electronics.
Global opinion has seen this feat as a game-changer. Industry watchers liken Honda’s test to early SpaceX “Starhopper” experiences, emphasizing its role in making space access more affordable and sustainable. Analysts note that Honda’s industrial breadth and financial resilience give it a unique position, potentially making it a competitive new player in the emerging reusable launch market.
Honda’s Global CEO, Toshihiro Mibe, commented that this successful test represents a meaningful milestone built on the company’s core competencies in combustion, automation, and controls. He reaffirmed Honda’s vision of expanding its impact beyond automotive and mobility solutions—toward endeavors that elevate human potential and bring data-connected services from space.
As Honda charts a path toward suborbital missions, the broader aerospace world is watching closely. The company’s next steps will be critical in determining whether it transitions from experimental trials to commercial operations and how it positions itself among established players like SpaceX, Blue Origin, and emerging global competitors.
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