Honda conducts surprise reusable rocket test, aims spaceflight by 2029
TOKYO, June 17 (Reuters) - Honda (7267.T), opens new tab 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-metre (20.6-foot) experimental reusable launch vehicle after reaching an altitude of 271 metres (889 feet) at its test facility in northern Japan's space town Taiki, opens new tab, 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, opens new tab.
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.
Reusable launch vehicles have been the driver of emerging commercial space missions over the past decade, led by SpaceX's Falcon 9, while its U.S. rivals including Blue Origin and companies in China and Europe also have reusable rocket plans.
Tokyo-based startup Innovative Space Carrier last month said it will test-launch a prototype reusable rocket in the United States in December using an American engine.
Honda's rival Toyota, the world's biggest automaker by sales, earlier this year announced an investment by its research arm in Taiki-based rocket maker Interstellar Technologies to support mass production of launch vehicles.
Japan's government has established a multibillion-dollar space venture fund to subsidise private rockets, satellites and other missions, targeting to double its space industry's size to 8 trillion yen ($55.20 billion) by the early 2030s.
($1 = 144.9200 yen)
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Reuters
5 hours ago
- Reuters
Honda conducts surprise reusable rocket test, aims spaceflight by 2029
TOKYO, June 17 (Reuters) - Honda (7267.T), opens new tab 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-metre (20.6-foot) experimental reusable launch vehicle after reaching an altitude of 271 metres (889 feet) at its test facility in northern Japan's space town Taiki, opens new tab, 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, opens new tab. 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. Reusable launch vehicles have been the driver of emerging commercial space missions over the past decade, led by SpaceX's Falcon 9, while its U.S. rivals including Blue Origin and companies in China and Europe also have reusable rocket plans. Tokyo-based startup Innovative Space Carrier last month said it will test-launch a prototype reusable rocket in the United States in December using an American engine. Honda's rival Toyota, the world's biggest automaker by sales, earlier this year announced an investment by its research arm in Taiki-based rocket maker Interstellar Technologies to support mass production of launch vehicles. Japan's government has established a multibillion-dollar space venture fund to subsidise private rockets, satellites and other missions, targeting to double its space industry's size to 8 trillion yen ($55.20 billion) by the early 2030s. ($1 = 144.9200 yen)
Auto Blog
5 hours ago
- Auto Blog
The 2026 Nissan Leaf Is A Major Glow-Up For Affordable EVs
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Reuters
5 hours ago
- Reuters
Leonardo CEO sees advantages in new entrants to GCAP fighter programme
PARIS, June 17 (Reuters) - There are advantages of new entrants joining an Italian-British-Japanese next-generation fighter jet programme, but it's a decision for the governments involved, the head of Italian aerospace and defence group Leonardo ( opens new tab said on Tuesday. Speaking at the Paris Airshow, Roberto Cingolani said more partners could help boost the technology of the Global Combat Air Programme. He also said that Saudi Arabia joining the programme - which has long been mooted - would open up a big market with great potential. Cingolani said he saw room for many partners in future, while reiterating that this would be a political decision. He added that the project's 2035 deadline was "serious and strict" and "we must make all efforts to meet it". "We are on schedule but it is a complex development," he added. Two sources close to the matter told Reuters last month that Japan had growing doubts that the project would meet the 2035 target, potentially forcing Tokyo to plug air defence gaps with new U.S. F-35 stealth planes or upgrades to aging jets. GCAP is an effort by Japan and its two European partners to build a next-generation fighter free from the operational restrictions that often come with purchases of U.S.-made military equipment. For example, buyers are often not allowed to do upgrades and maintenance without U.S. permission. The project is being led by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (7011.T), opens new tab in Japan, BAE Systems (BAES.L), opens new tab in Britain and Leonardo in Italy. France, Germany and Spain are working on a rival project, although one of its partners - Airbus ( opens new tab - said in January it could see the two programmes combining, or at least designed to work together.
