Honda efficiently carried out a “launch and touchdown check of an experimental reusable rocket” developed by its analysis and growth subsidiary, the corporate introduced this week. It was the primary time Honda landed a rocket after it reached an altitude of 890 ft, in line with a press launch.
The launch came about at a Honda check facility in Taiki City, Japan, which the corporate says “has been creating itself as a ‘house city’ via the joint efforts of private and non-private sectors,” together with the Japan Aerospace Exploration Company (JAXA). The practically 21-foot tall rocket, weighing over 2,800 kilos at launch, flew for 56.6 seconds earlier than ”touchdown inside 37cm of the goal landing level” on its 4 retractable legs that additionally supported it at liftoff.
Honda initially introduced its plans to pursue house flight in late 2021, and whereas the corporate has been non-public about its progress, it’s leveraging applied sciences beforehand developed in different fields, together with automated driving techniques, to assist create its first reusable rocket.
The corporate cites the rising want for extra satellites that may doubtlessly profit its different companies as the explanation for creating its personal launch system, but it surely hasn’t finalized plans on how it will likely be commercialized.
“Though Honda rocket analysis continues to be within the elementary analysis section, and no selections have been made concerning commercialization of those rocket applied sciences, Honda will proceed making progress within the elementary analysis with a expertise growth purpose of realizing technological functionality to allow a suborbital launch by 2029.”
A suborbital flight – upwards of 62 miles above sea degree – shall be a giant achievement for the corporate, however that’s not sufficient altitude to efficiently put a satellite tv for pc into orbit. Honda might want to determine, based mostly on what it takes to achieve its 2029 purpose together with the price of this system, if it needs to take the following step and compete with different non-public corporations like SpaceX and Blue Origin which can be able to conducting orbital flights.
