7 hours ago
Honda has successfully launched and landed a reusable rocket
The Japanese carmaker has been having a blast
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Honda has been busy testing a new Type R. Where the 'R' is a rocket, that is. The carmaker's R&D subsidiary successfully executed Japan's first take-off and landing of a reusable rocket at its research base in Hokkaido.
The rocket, aka 'reusable launch vehicle' (RLV), measures over six metres long, 85cm wide and weighs 900 kilos, and on this jolly little expedition, reached an altitude of almost 300 metres with liquid fuel propulsion. We're not told how much rocket fuel was required, or how hot it burned, but we're guessing the answers are 'a lot' and 'very'.