Honda R&D successfully carried out a first launch-and-landing test of its 6.3-meter reusable rocket prototype on June 17, 2025, at its Taiki facility in Hokkaido, Japan. The rocket lifted off to 271 meters (889 feet) before descending and landing upright—marking a major step toward Honda’s ambition of suborbital flights by 2029
🚀 Test Highlights & Technical Specs
- Height & Weight: ~6.3 m tall, ~900 kg empty, ~1,312 kg fueled
- Flight Profile: 56-second flight, landing accuracy within <40 cm, vertical touchdown achieved .
- Core Focus: Demonstrated stability during ascent/descent and precision landing via deployable legs and onboard guidance systems
📅 Aims for Suborbital Missions by 2029
Honda started research on reusable rockets in 2019 and now plans to scale its prototype toward suborbital tests before 2030. A commercial decision is expected in 2025–26. This project builds on Honda’s broader space R&D efforts, including robotics and lunar energy systems in collaboration with JAXA
🌏 Positioning in the Global Space Race
- New market entrant: Honda joins private space players like SpaceX and Blue Origin, backed by Japan’s government push to double its space industry to ¥8 trillion (~US $55 billion) by early 2030s
- Automotive crossover: Leveraging Honda’s expertise in combustion, guidance, and control to enter aerospace—a strategy similar to Toyota’s investments in rockets via Interstellar Technologies
✅ Final Take
Honda’s successful test of its reusable rocket prototype demonstrates its engineering prowess and strategic pivot into space. With vertical takeoff, stable flight, and precise landing verified, Honda is on track toward suborbital missions by 2029—as it positions itself among the vanguard of launch-capable automotive companies.