The legendary Japanese automaker Honda has taken a bold step into space. The company has successfully tested a prototype of a reusable rocket, paving the way for its ambitious goal of suborbital flights by 2029.
On June 17, Honda R&D researchers conducted a historic experiment: a 6.3-meter-long rocket rose to a height of 271 meters and landed safely. The test took place at a test site in Taiki (Japan), a center for space innovation. The main objective was to demonstrate key technologies: stable flight, descent control, and precise vertical landing for multiple use.
“Although our developments are still at the fundamental research stage, this success is a critical step toward suborbital launches by the end of the decade,” Honda said. No decision on commercialization has been made yet, but the company is actively investing in space.
A mysterious project
Honda kept the project completely secret. Since the announcement of a small reusable rocket in 2021, no further details have been disclosed. After testing, it became clear that the automotive giant is seriously working on space technologies. In 2024, Honda even established a special space development department in the US to collaborate with local companies.
In addition to rockets, Honda is actively involved in revolutionary systems for space:
- Electrolysis unit for the ISS;
- Regenerative fuel cells for life support in orbit and on Earth;
- Partnership with Astroscale Japan to develop orbital refueling for satellites.
Japanese space boom
Honda is not the only car company with space ambitions. For example, Toyota has invested in rocket manufacturer Interstellar Technologies. This is because the Japanese government has set a goal to double the size of the space industry to $55 billion by 2030. For this purpose, a multi-billion dollar fund has been created to support private space initiatives.
“We have taken an important step forward by leveraging our engineering strengths,” said Honda CEO Toshihiro Mibe. The successful landing of the rocket set an optimistic tone for the program. Now Honda is proving that automotive industry technologies can change the rules of the game in space as well.
We previously reported on China’s exploration of the possibility of creating a fully reusable super-heavy rocket.
According to Honda
