In a groundbreaking milestone, Honda has successfully launched and landed its first reusable rocket, officially marking the Japanese auto giant’s bold entry into the global space race.
The rocket, developed under Honda’s Advanced Research and Aerospace Division, completed a flawless suborbital flight followed by a controlled vertical landing — a feat that positions Honda as a formidable new contender alongside established private space players like Elon Musk’s SpaceX, Blue Origin, and Rocket Lab.
The test flight took place at a private launch site in Japan and lasted just under 10 minutes. The vehicle reached a peak altitude of 120 kilometers before descending and making a soft, precise landing on a sea-based drone platform — an engineering marvel that underscores Honda’s technological versatility beyond automobiles.
“This mission marks a new era for Honda,” said Takahiro Hachigo, Executive Head of Honda Aerospace. “We aim to make space more accessible, sustainable, and aligned with our long-standing commitment to innovation.”
Honda’s reusable rocket program is part of its broader vision to integrate mobility on Earth with mobility in space, a goal that includes satellite deployment, lunar logistics, and possibly manned missions in the future.
Industry analysts are calling Honda’s entry into the aerospace sector a potential game-changer, especially given the company’s reputation for engineering excellence, efficiency, and global infrastructure.
With this successful launch, Honda has not only proven its aerospace capabilities but also raised the stakes in the rapidly evolving commercial spaceflight industry.
