Honda announced this week the successful launch and landing of an experimental reusable rocket, marking a significant step in its aerospace endeavors. This achievement, the company’s first successful rocket landing following an ascent to 890 feet, was carried out at a test facility in Taiki Town, Japan, which is collaboratively being developed into a ‘space town’ by public and private sectors, including the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA).
The nearly 21-foot rocket, which weighed over 2,800 pounds at launch, remained airborne for 56.6 seconds and made a precise landing, coming within 37 centimeters of its intended touchdown point on its four retractable legs.
Honda initially revealed its ambitions for space exploration in late 2021. While progress updates have been limited, the company is applying technologies from other areas, such as automated driving systems, to the development of its reusable rocket.
The push to create its own launch system is driven by a rising demand for satellites that could enhance Honda’s other business ventures. However, the company has not yet outlined its commercialization strategy.
Honda stated, “Although Honda rocket research is still in the fundamental research phase, and no decisions have been made regarding commercialization of these rocket technologies, Honda will continue making progress in the fundamental research with a technology development goal of realizing technological capability to enable a suborbital launch by 2029.”
Achieving a suborbital flight—which requires reaching altitudes above 62 miles—would be a noteworthy milestone for the company. However, this altitude is insufficient for deploying satellites into orbit. Honda faces critical decisions regarding the costs associated with reaching its 2029 target and whether to step up in competition with established private space companies like SpaceX and Blue Origin that conduct orbital flights.