Latest news with #HondaR&D
Yomiuri Shimbun
5 days ago
- Business
- Yomiuri Shimbun
Japanese Businesses Expanding Space-Related Operations; Government Making Plans to Increase Public Support
An increasing number of companies in Japan are making efforts to strengthen their operations related to outer space. This striking trend includes automakers, banks and other businesses with no prior connections to space. Startups are also joining the field one after another. However, competition is increasingly fierce, and for now the United States and China are the frontrunners. Japanese companies in the field will not flourish without cooperation between the public and private sectors. New possibilities In June, Honda Motor Co. became the first private company in Japan to successfully launch and land a reusable small rocket. To do this, the company used technology it had cultivated for projects such as developing self-driving vehicles. Honda R&D Co., a subsidiary of the automaker, was in charge of research and development of the reusable rocket. In an address given in Tokyo on July 8, Honda R&D President Keiji Otsu said emphatically, 'Space is a place of new possibilities.' Major companies in such fields as telecommunications and financial services are enhancing their space-related operations, and a growing number of startups are entering the field. According to research by the Spacetide Foundation, a general incorporated entity for promotion of space development, the number of startups in the space development field in 2025 was 109, an increase of about 40% from three years ago. ¥260 trillion market With space being used more and more in fields such as national security and telecommunications, related industries are expected to grow rapidly. The global market size for space businesses is predicted to exceed ¥260 trillion in 2035, about triple what it was in 2023. According to the Cabinet Office, the number of rocket launches conducted by the United States in 2024 was 153, while China had 66, putting those two countries at the head of the pack for use of space-related technology. Japan conducted only five launches last year. Many of the American rocket launches were for commercial purposes, as more than half were made by Elon Musk's company SpaceX, which uses reusable rockets to minimize costs. Cost and speed vital One issue that Japanese companies face is the high cost of conducting rocket launches. Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Ltd. aims to bring the cost of launching a rocket down to about ¥5 billion — half what it has been up to now — with its new primary rocket model, the H3, which it developed in cooperation with the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency. The government's Basic Policy on Economic and Fiscal Management and Reform, approved by the Cabinet in June, stipulates that the nation's space development policies should be enhanced. It sets a goal of boosting the size of the domestic market to ¥8 trillion in the first half of the 2030s, double what it was in 2020. A senior official of an economy-related government entity pointed out that victory in space development goes to whoever is fastest. Thus whether Japan wins or loses in this field will come down to the speed at which projects can be commercialized. Spacetide's Representative Director Masayasu Ishida said, 'Many countries all over the world, not just the major ones, are trying to cultivate space-related industries. It is essential also for Japan to stimulate demand and acquire human resources, technologies and investment.'
Forbes
22-06-2025
- Automotive
- Forbes
As SpaceX Explodes Again, Honda Successfully Launches Reusable Rocket
Honda's reusable rocket blasts off in northern Japan. The latest SpaceX rocket explosion is the fourth failure in a row for the company's embattled CEO and Tesla boss Elon Musk as he tries to rebuild his brand after controversial political aspirations. Meanwhile, Honda—not meaning to shine a light of SpaceX problems—has just successfully conducted a launch and landing test of its experimental reusable rocket in northern Japan. Honda's rocket climbed to 890 feet before landing just 15 inches away from where it took off. Honda's rocket flew for 57 seconds and then landed Honda is well-known in industry circles as one of the few carmakers who produces a multitude of non-car products including motorcycles, ATVs, power equipment such as generators, lawnmowers, outboard motors and snowploughs, the HondaJet and robots such as ASIMO. And now it's entered rocket R&D in earnest. At Honda's test facility in Taiki Town located in Hokkaido, Japan's northern-most island, the company launched a reusable rocket that flew for almost a minute to an altitude of 890 feet and then landed with pinpoint accuracy just 15 inches from where it took off, according to Honda. The rocket weighs 2800 lbs which equates to a small car. Developed in-house by Honda R&D Company, the rocket—which weighs 2800 lbs or around the same weight as a small car—shot up vertically, blasting off using its four legs from the company's test site in the northern island of Hokkaido. Honda says its Hokkaido facility '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 21-foot high rocket, ascended for 57 seconds before landing around 15 inches from the target touchdown point using its four retractable legs that also aided in its take-off. Honda first revealed its goal to go into space in late 2021. But while the carmaker has been tight-lipped about its R&D progress, it is using existing technology from other areas, such as automated driving systems, to assist in the development of its first reusable rocket. The company says that the reason for developing its own launch system is the need for more satellites that will potentially benefit its other businesses. According to Honda, its rocket research is still in its infancy, and no decisions have yet been made on potential commercialization of these rocket technologies. The company has the ambitious goal to enable a suborbital launch by 2029 but success here will require significant testing and perhaps a few failures. A suborbital flight – upwards of 62 miles above sea level – would be a significant achievement for Honda, even though that is not far enough to put a satellite into orbit. It will be interesting to see if Honda goes all the way, and ends up competing with other private companies like SpaceX and Blue Origin that are capable of conducting orbital flights.
The Sun
22-06-2025
- Automotive
- The Sun
Watch moment iconic car maker enters space race after successfully launching reusable rocket
Eliana Nunes Published: Invalid Date, THIS is the spectacular moment one of the world's largest car manufacturers successfully launched a reusable rocket. Honda R&D - the research and development arm of Honda Motor - landed a rocket for the first time on Tuesday - after it reached an altitude of nearly 1,000 feet. 4 The experimental reusable rocket reached an altitude of 890 feet during its test flight - staying aloft for 56.6 seconds. It landed just 14.6 inches from its target touchdown point at the carmaker's test facility in northern Japan, according to Honda. Weighing in at 2,890 pounds when fully fuelled (1,984 pounds dry), the rocket is 20.7 feet tall and measured 2.8 feet in diameter. Honda's rocket has become the first prototype rocket outside the US and China to pull off a flight like this. The company said the launch and landing test demonstrated "key technologies essential for rocket reusability, such as flight stability during ascent and descent, as well as landing capability". The Japanese car manufacturer first revealed in 2021 that it had been working on a rocket engine for at least two years. After six years of development, this successful test marked a major step in Honda's push into space innovation. But Honda is not alone in the race beyond Earth. Other car makers like Geely, GM, Hyundai-Kia, Toyota and Venturi are partnering with space tech companies. Unlike Honda and Venturi that have developed rockets or space vehicles, Toyota has been involved more in robotics and space exploration tech. Vid shows supersonic test launch in bid for 1hr cross-Atlantic flights in 5yrs Geely, GM and Hyundai-Kia are partnering with aerospace firms or investing in space tech startups - rather than independently developing rockets yet. It comes after talk of a merger between car rivals Nissan and Honda collapsed in February. But the door to collaboration remains wide open. Nissan's CEO Ivan Espinosa said in March that the company is "very open" to partnerships. The company's chief performance officer, Guillaume Cartier, said Nissan had "never stopped" talking with its Japanese rival, confirming that the two continue working towards a potential partnership. Espinosa, who officially took over on April 1, said his company faces up to five simultaneous crises - including a damaged brand, low morale and the execution of a sweeping turnaround. Speaking at a company event, he said: "The way we are seeing partners is broadly, not only thinking about cars but how to push Nissan into the next era of technology." Toshihiro Mibe has been the CEO of Honda Motor Co. since 2021.
Mercury
20-06-2025
- Automotive
- Mercury
Car giant's space fight with Musk
Don't miss out on the headlines from Motoring News. Followed categories will be added to My News. One of the world's biggest car makers has joined Elon Musk in the race to the stars. Honda has officially entered the space race alongside Musk's Space X, after Japan's second largest carmaker announced it had successfully launched a 'resusable rocket prototype'. In the same week, a Space X rocket dramatically blew up while preparing to take flight, Honda showed it was serious about its space exploration ambitions, first mentioned four years ago. Honda R&D, which is a subsidiary of Honda Motor Co. said it 'conducted a launch and landing test of an experimental reusable rocket developed independently by Honda'. Musk's SpaceX rocket goes kablam. Picture X The rocket, which was 6.3m long, 85cm in diameter and weighed 1312kg, reached an altitude of 271.4m and landed within 37cm of the target touchdown point after a flight of 57s. According to Honda R&D, the purpose of the test, conducted at a Honda facility in Taiki Town on Hokkaido, the northern most of Japan's main islands, was the 'establishment of key technologies necessary for a reusable rocket'. 'This test marked the first launch and landing test conducted by Honda with an aim to demonstrate key technologies essential for rocket reusability, such as flight stability during ascent and descent, as well as landing capability,' Honda said in a statement. Honda engineers prepare the rocket. Picture: Honda Honda conducts a successful launch and landing test of its Experimental Reusable Rocket. Picture: Honda R&D 'Through this successful test, Honda achieved its intended rocket behaviours for the launch and landing, while obtaining data during the ascent and descent.' Honda announced in 2021 that it was 'pursuing research and development in the field of space technologies' with the thought that its discoveries could also be used in Honda vehicles. That includes in regard to automated driving systems and sustainable transportation. Honda is aiming at a suborbital launch by 2029. 'We are pleased that Honda has made another step forward in our research on reusable rockets with this successful completion of a launch and landing test,' Global CEO of Honda Toshihiro Mibe said. 'We believe that rocket research is a meaningful endeavour that leverages Honda's technological strengths. Honda said space tech is likely to be used in its future cars. Source: Supplied 'Honda will continue to take on new challenges—not only to offer our customers various services and value through our products, while addressing environmental and safety issues, but also to continue creating new value which will make people's time and place more enjoyable.' Originally published as Car giant's space fight with Musk
Daily Telegraph
20-06-2025
- Automotive
- Daily Telegraph
Car giant's space fight with Musk
Don't miss out on the headlines from Motoring News. Followed categories will be added to My News. One of the world's biggest car makers has joined Elon Musk in the race to the stars. Honda has officially entered the space race alongside Musk's Space X, after Japan's second largest carmaker announced it had successfully launched a 'resusable rocket prototype'. In the same week, a Space X rocket dramatically blew up while preparing to take flight, Honda showed it was serious about its space exploration ambitions, first mentioned four years ago. Honda R&D, which is a subsidiary of Honda Motor Co. said it 'conducted a launch and landing test of an experimental reusable rocket developed independently by Honda'. Musk's SpaceX rocket goes kablam. Picture X The rocket, which was 6.3m long, 85cm in diameter and weighed 1312kg, reached an altitude of 271.4m and landed within 37cm of the target touchdown point after a flight of 57s. According to Honda R&D, the purpose of the test, conducted at a Honda facility in Taiki Town on Hokkaido, the northern most of Japan's main islands, was the 'establishment of key technologies necessary for a reusable rocket'. 'This test marked the first launch and landing test conducted by Honda with an aim to demonstrate key technologies essential for rocket reusability, such as flight stability during ascent and descent, as well as landing capability,' Honda said in a statement. Honda engineers prepare the rocket. Picture: Honda Honda conducts a successful launch and landing test of its Experimental Reusable Rocket. Picture: Honda R&D 'Through this successful test, Honda achieved its intended rocket behaviours for the launch and landing, while obtaining data during the ascent and descent.' Honda announced in 2021 that it was 'pursuing research and development in the field of space technologies' with the thought that its discoveries could also be used in Honda vehicles. That includes in regard to automated driving systems and sustainable transportation. Honda is aiming at a suborbital launch by 2029. 'We are pleased that Honda has made another step forward in our research on reusable rockets with this successful completion of a launch and landing test,' Global CEO of Honda Toshihiro Mibe said. 'We believe that rocket research is a meaningful endeavour that leverages Honda's technological strengths. Honda said space tech is likely to be used in its future cars. Source: Supplied 'Honda will continue to take on new challenges—not only to offer our customers various services and value through our products, while addressing environmental and safety issues, but also to continue creating new value which will make people's time and place more enjoyable.' Originally published as Car giant's space fight with Musk
