THIS is the spectacular moment one of the world’s largest car manufacturers successfully launched a reusable rocket.
Honda R&D – the research and development arm of Honda Motor – landed a rocket for the first time on Tuesday – after it reached an altitude of nearly 1,000 feet.
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The experimental reusable rocket reached an altitude of 890 feet during its test flight – staying aloft for 56.6 seconds.
It landed just 14.6 inches from its target touchdown point at the carmaker’s test facility in northern Japan, according to Honda.
Weighing in at 2,890 pounds when fully fuelled (1,984 pounds dry), the rocket is 20.7 feet tall and measured 2.8 feet in diameter.
Honda’s rocket has become the first prototype rocket outside the US and China to pull off a flight like this.
The company said the launch and landing test demonstrated “key technologies essential for rocket reusability, such as flight stability during ascent and descent, as well as landing capability”.
The Japanese car manufacturer first revealed in 2021 that it had been working on a rocket engine for at least two years.
After six years of development, this successful test marked a major step in Honda’s push into space innovation.
But Honda is not alone in the race beyond Earth.
Other car makers like Geely, GM, Hyundai-Kia, Toyota and Venturi are partnering with space tech companies.
Unlike Honda and Venturi that have developed rockets or space vehicles, Toyota has been involved more in robotics and space exploration tech.
Geely, GM and Hyundai-Kia are partnering with aerospace firms or investing in space tech startups – rather than independently developing rockets yet.
It comes after talk of a merger between car rivals Nissan and Honda collapsed in February.
But the door to collaboration remains wide open.
Nissan’s CEO Ivan Espinosa said in March that the company is “very open” to partnerships.
The company’s chief performance officer, Guillaume Cartier, said Nissan had “never stopped” talking with its Japanese rival, confirming that the two continue working towards a potential partnership.
Espinosa, who officially took over on April 1, said his company faces up to five simultaneous crises – including a damaged brand, low morale and the execution of a sweeping turnaround.
Speaking at a company event, he said: “The way we are seeing partners is broadly, not only thinking about cars but how to push Nissan into the next era of technology.”
Toshihiro Mibe has been the CEO of Honda Motor Co. since 2021.
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