Honda Officially Enters Space Race with First Successful Experimental Rocket Launch

By Jessica Fisher Editor

Honda’s experimental reusable rocket launched and landed today (Jun. 17) from Tokyo, Japan.

(Tokyo, Japan) Honda Motor Co., Ltd. (NYSE: HMC) subsidiary Honda R&D Co., Ltd. conducted a launch and landing test of an experimental reusable rocket developed independently by Honda today (Jun. 17th) in Tokyo, Japan; the test was completed successfully and marked Honda’s first-ever launch and landing test, with the aim of demonstrating key technologies essential for rocket reusability and landing capabilities.

- Honda Officially Enters Space Race with First Successful Experimental Rocket Launch - The FLY Report

Photo of Honda R&D Co., Ltd.'s successful experimental rocket launch - the company's first - earlier today (Jun. 17) from Tokyo, Japan, courtesy of Honda R&D Co.

Per Honda, the company has been safely conducting engine combustion tests and hovering tests for its reusable rockets in Taiki Town in Hiroo District, Hokkaido, Japan since 2024.

Since 2021, Honda has been pursuing research and development in the field of space technologies while viewing it as a place to take on challenges to realize the “dreams” and “potential” of people worldwide while leveraging its core technologies, according to the company.

“We are pleased that Honda has made another step forward in our research on reusable rockets with this successful completion of a launch and landing test,” said Honda’s Global CEO Toshihiro Mibe. “We believe that rocket research is a meaningful endeavor that leverages Honda’s technological strengths. Honda will continue to take on new challenges—not only to offer our customers various services and value through our products, while addressing environmental and safety issues, but also to continue creating new value which will make people’s time and place more enjoyable.”

Close-up photo of Honda’s reusable rocket, which launched from Tokyo, Japan this morning (Jun. 17), courtesy of Honda R&D Co., Ltd..

Specifically, today’s flight test marked the first time Honda landed a rocket after reaching an altitude of 300 meters. Throughout the test, Honda achieved its intended rocket behaviors for the launch and landing (reaching an altitude of 271.4 m, and landing at 37cm of the target touchdown point, flight duration 56.6 sec), while obtaining data during the ascent and descent, according to today’s press release from Honda.

Per Honda, the company’s rocket research is still in the fundamental research phase, and no decisions have been made regarding commercialization of these rocket technologies. Honda aims to continue making progress in its fundamental research with the goal of enabling a suborbital launch by 2029.