The carmaker that built your Civic is now chasing rockets
In short: Honda has officially entered the space race, moving from the asphalt to the atmosphere. By successfully landing a prototype reusable rocket in Hokkaido, the automaker is proving that automotive engineering principles can be pivoted toward one of humanity's most ambitious frontiers: vertical takeoff and landing technology.
On June 17, Honda R&D achieved a significant milestone by conducting a successful vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) test in Taiki, Hokkaido. Often referred to as Japan's "space town," this location served as the backdrop for a rocket that reached an altitude of 271.4 meters (890 feet). The flight lasted approximately 56 seconds, culminating in a near-bullseye landing just 37 centimeters (14.6 inches) from its intended target.
Measuring approximately 33.5 inches across and 20.7 feet long, this experimental vehicle is a small piece of hardware. The craft weighs 1,984 pounds (900 kilograms) without fuel, reaching 2,893 pounds (1,312 kg) when fully loaded. While the project is currently in a fundamental research phase, Honda's involvement signals a diversification into aerospace technologies, specifically focusing on reusability—a core pillar of modern space exploration championed by entities like SpaceX.
Honda’s roadmap includes a goal to realize the technological capability for a suborbital launch by 2029. Honda remains undecided on selling the tech commercially but is currently collaborating with JAXA to investigate methods for sending people into space. This move places Honda among a growing cluster of Japanese firms, such as Interstellar Technologies and Space One, vying to establish new capabilities in the global space race.
The transition from internal combustion engines to reusable rocket propulsion highlights a shift in industrial focus. By leveraging their R&D expertise, Honda aims to master the complex physics of ascent and descent data collection, providing a foundation for future orbital ambitions while maintaining their status as a terrestrial transport giant.
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Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: Honda Just Launched a Reusable Rocket
- Also: Watch Honda launch (and land) its 1st reusable rocket in this wild video | Space
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