On Tuesday, the Japanese company revealed it has completed the launch and landing of an experimental reusable rocket. According to Honda, this marks the first time the company has landed a rocket successfully. The test launch was in Taiki Town, Japan. For those who don’t know, Taiki Town is becoming a space hub. So it’s no surprise to see Honda follow this path. What may surprise you is how quickly Honda came to this point.

The Rocket Is Built for Success

Honda’s new rocket stands 21 feet tall and weighs 2,800 pounds. When it launched, it reached a maximum height of 890 feet before making a controlled descent. When the vehicle touched down, it landed just 37 centimeters from its target. The landing was smooth and without incident. The space launch capabilities showcase Honda’s commitment to advancing from being a leader in the automotive industry to a leader in space.

The 4-legged rocket successfully demonstrated the three essential elements of any launch system: vertical lift, flight control, and landing. As you can see in the image above, the entire launch process was successful. It landed where it was intended, with legs spread out to absorb the impact.

The real question is: How hard did it hit the ground? That’s when I’m sure all the 4 legs come in handy. They help the vehicle stabilize on landing, especially for an unpowered launch vehicle like this one.

As mentioned earlier, Honda has been quietly working on this project for some time. Honda announced its ambitions to enter the space race in 2021. In fact, that was its first announcement. However, since then, the company has been pretty quiet on the project.

With today’s successful test, I’m sure the company will continue to keep us informed on its space exploration efforts. Honda was quiet in space until today. Today’s launch gives the company credibility and legitimizes its space exploration.

Why Rockets?

For many, this announcement is surprising. Honda, an automotive company, is entering the space industry. For others, it’s not so strange. Honda has been involved in space since the 1980s. Since 1988, the company’s team has successfully created engines that have powered a number of rockets. The company worked on a space project until 2010.

Honda’s foray into space isn’t for bragging rights. The company is developing rockets for a reason. As of now, there are 1,670 active satellites orbiting Earth, according to a 2021 report from The Conversation. This number has grown significantly over the last 25 years. The Internet, social media, online games, and communication have driven the need for these satellites. These trends aren’t slowing down anytime soon. By 2030, the number of satellites in space could double. With all these satellites needing transmission and communication, Honda will need to play a role.

Since this is an in-house venture, the company will have full control over its space ventures. It won’t have to rely on another company to launch satellites into space. Additionally, it could launch different technologies into space. It could launch equipment and parts needed for cars to reach space or develop cars that fly. With these possibilities, Honda has much to gain from investing in space. There’s a high potential to bring those business units into space. There’s much more value to be gained from a satellite and space than we think.

While this has been Honda’s plan for the past few years, it has yet to officially say whether it will commercialize the project. Still, Honda says its current rocket project is in the fundamental research stage. No final decisions have been made regarding commercialization. Still, the company says it will keep moving forward with the project. Its goal is to launch a suborbital launch by 2029.

A suborbital flight passes the Kármán line — 62 miles above sea level — but does not achieve orbit. A suborbital flight is a significant milestone in space travel and will open the door to additional testing, payload flights, and possibly manned flights.

To put it simply, a suborbital launch is an unpowered launch. This means a launch without a propulsion system. For the space rockets, there’s no jet propulsion system or the guidance system on-board to take the rocket to space. Instead, the launch is gravity-powered. The company will need a more complex rocket to send a satellite into orbit. These are more complex systems that require more money and time to build. We’ll see if the company enters this market. So far, there’s no word on the company’s decision.

Honda has the resources, technical know-how, and the expertise to develop and build a rocket to space. It now has the data to back it up. While there are many companies focused on this space, this one is from a different breed.

A Space Town Rises in Japan

In addition to Honda’s efforts, Taiki Town has taken on a key role in the new era of space. It’s now known as the town with the JAXA office. In fact, many businesses have moved into the town over the last 20 years. Thanks to its strategic location and proximity to JAXA’s base, Taiki Town is transforming into a space hub. Businesses in Taiki Town see the opportunity to support space. It offers them the opportunity to participate in space research and development.

The collaboration between the town and Honda is the beginning of a bright future. Honda and Taiki Town are the key players in this race. As we’ve seen in the last 10 years, the space race has expanded. Countries like India and Japan have been investing heavily in the space sector. They’re looking to compete with the US. We will see what happens in the next decade. Honda’s collaboration with the town is a unique example of how corporations and towns can work together to advance space. As you’ve seen in the last few decades, towns have embraced technological advancements. Taiki Town is the next to join the technological age.

Summary

This is the beginning of a bright future. It will be interesting to see if the company launches its rockets in the future. In the last few years, it has been pushing itself. The company is still growing, and I believe we’ll see more in the future. One thing is for sure: The company has launched the rocket, and it has done so successfully. With the 2029 goal in mind, the next few years will tell the tale of the company’s journey.