Honda Enters Space Race, Successfully Tests Reusable Rocket

Were you aware that Honda, one of the world's largest automakers, has had spaceflight ambitions of its own? No? Well, it's just announced itself in a big way. On Tuesday, the Japanese conglomerate surprised us all by declaring that its research arm, Honda R&D, had successfully launched and landed its prototype reusable rocket, in a major step towards achieving its dream of suborbital spaceflight by 2029. The footage that Honda shared, though brief, is impressive. The roughly 20 feet tall rocket springs itself off the ground with little effort, elegantly retracting its legs. Then it takes to the skies, reaching […]

Jun 18, 2025 - 22:34

Honda Enters Space Race, Successfully Tests Reusable Rocket

Honda, — yes, that Honda — just announced that it has successfully launched and landed its prototype reusable rocket.

Were you aware that Honda, one of the world's largest automakers, has had spaceflight ambitions of its own? No? Well, it's just announced itself in a big way.

On Tuesday, the Japanese conglomerate surprised us all by declaring that its research arm, Honda R&D, had successfully launched and landed its prototype reusable rocket, in a major step towards achieving its dream of suborbital spaceflight by 2029.

The footage that Honda shared, though brief, is impressive. The roughly 20-foot rocket springs off the ground with little effort, elegantly retracting its legs before taking to the skies, reaching a maximum altitude of 870 feet.

Moments later, the nimble craft comes in for a touchdown, unfurling its landing gear with similar finesse as before, and finally setting itself down on the launchpad without so much as a bump. When the smoke clears, it's still standing tall.

再使用型ロケット実験機の
離着陸実験に成功 Read More