Honda just dropped a bombshell that nobody saw coming. They’re the champs of cars, bikes, and even those funky humanoid robots, but now their team’s gone full space-nerd, launching a reusable rocket up in Taiki Town, Hokkaido. This thing was no giant—it stood 6.3 meters tall, 85 centimeters wide, and weighed 900 kilos dry, or 1,312 kilos with its fuel tank full.
How’d it do? The rocket blasted off for 56.6 seconds, hit 271.4 meters, and then stuck the landing like a pro, missing its target by just 37 centimeters. “This test marked the first launch and landing test conducted by Honda with an aim to demonstrate key technologies essential for rocket reusability,” the company stated in its official release.
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Unlike traditional expendable rockets, which burn up or crash after a single use, reusable systems promise to slash launch costs. Honda’s prototype is a proof-of-concept that could scale up. The company’s statement hints at ambition: “Through this successful test, Honda achieved its intended rocket behaviors for the launch and landing, while obtaining data during the ascent and descent.”
Taiki Town, where the test unfolded, isn’t just a random choice. Taiki Town, nestled in southeastern Hokkaido, has been a hot spot for rocket tests by JAXA (Japan’s space agency) and other private companies. The 271.4-meter climb didn’t come close to space’s 100-kilometer boundary, but it was plenty to put the rocket’s steering and landing gear through the wringer.
Honda’s press release was light on tech details, but reusable rockets like this usually pack cutting-edge engines, on-the-fly navigation, and fancy landing systems to stick the touchdown. The prototype’s success suggests Honda nailed these basics, but scaling to orbital heights will demand years of iteration. For now, the company’s focus remains on “establishment of key technologies necessary for a reusable rocket,” as stated in its announcement.
What’s next for Honda’s space odyssey? Partnerships with JAXA or private space firms aren’t out of the question. Honda’s release emphasizes data collection, suggesting that if the prototype evolves into a suborbital or orbital vehicle, the company could eventually carve a niche in small-satellite launches or space tourism.
