Honda successfully launched and landed its own reusable rocket

Honda successfully conducted a “launch and landing test of an experimental reusable rocket” developed by its research and development subsidiary, the company announced this week. It was the first time Honda landed a rocket after it reached an altitude of 890 feet, according to a press release.

The launch took place at a Honda test facility in Taiki Town, Japan, which the company says “has been developing itself as a ‘space town’ through the joint efforts of public and private sectors,” including the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA). The nearly 21-foot tall rocket, weighing over 2,800 pounds at launch, flew for 56.6 seconds before ”landing within 37cm of the target touchdown point” on its four retractable legs that also supported it at liftoff.

Honda originally announced its plans to pursue space flight in late 2021, and while the company has been private about its progress, it is leveraging technologies previously developed in other fields, including automated driving systems, to help create its first reusable rocket.

The company cites the growing need for more satellites that will potentially benefit its other businesses as the reason for developing its own launch system, but it hasn’t finalized plans on how it will be commercialized. 

“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.”

A suborbital flight – upwards of 62 miles above sea level – will be a big achievement for the company, but that’s not enough altitude to successfully put a satellite into orbit. Honda will need to decide, based on what it takes to reach its 2029 goal including the cost of the program, if it wants to take the next step and compete with other private companies like SpaceX and Blue Origin that are capable of conducting orbital flights.