Honda conducts reusable rocket test
Honda succeeded in a launch and landing test of its prototype reusable rocket on Tuesday, the Japanese company said in a surprise announcement, marking a milestone towards its 2029 goal of achieving a suborbital spaceflight.
Honda R&D, the research arm of Japan's second-biggest carmaker, successfully landed its 6.3-meter experimental reusable launch vehicle after reaching an altitude of 271 meters at its test facility in northern Japan's space town Taiki, according to the company.
While '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,' it said in a statement.
Honda in 2021 said it was studying space technologies such as reusable rockets, but it has not previously announced the details of the launch test. A suborbital launch may touch the verge of outer space but does not enter orbit.
Studying launch vehicles 'has the potential to contribute more to people's daily lives by launching satellites with its own rockets, that could lead to various services that are also compatible with other Honda business,' the company added.
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