Honda, the Japanese multinational conglomerate renowned for its automobiles, motorcycles, and power equipment, has long been a pioneer in mobility. From groundbreaking engines to the innovative HondaJet aircraft, the company has consistently pushed the boundaries of transportation. In recent years, Honda has set its sights even higher – literally – by entering the space industry with the development of a reusable rocket. This move represents a bold expansion of Honda’s mission to “expand the possibilities of people’s lives,” now extending beyond Earth into outer space. As of November 2025, Honda’s reusable rocket project remains in its fundamental research phase, with significant milestones achieved earlier this year.
The Genesis of Honda’s Space Ambitions
Honda’s foray into rocketry began in 2021, driven by a vision to leverage space technologies for societal benefit. The company aims to address global challenges such as environmental monitoring and enhanced communication through satellite deployments. By developing reusable launch vehicles (RLVs), Honda seeks to make space access more sustainable and cost-effective, contrasting with traditional expendable launch vehicles (ELVs) that are discarded after a single use.
Reusable rockets, like those pioneered by companies such as SpaceX, launch vertically, reach suborbital or orbital altitudes, and then return to land vertically for refurbishment and reuse. Honda’s project focuses on establishing key technologies for reusability, including flight stability, precise landing, and rapid turnaround times. This initiative builds on Honda’s core competencies in combustion, control systems, and automated technologies derived from its automotive and aviation expertise.
Milestone Achievement: The June 2025 Test Flight
A pivotal moment came on June 17, 2025, when Honda conducted its first successful launch and landing test of an experimental reusable rocket prototype at its facility in Taiki Town, Hokkaido, Japan. The prototype, measuring 6.3 meters in length and 85 centimeters in diameter, had a dry weight of 900 kilograms and a wet weight of 1,312 kilograms. During the 56.6-second flight, it ascended to an altitude of 271.4 meters – nearly 300 meters – before descending and landing vertically on retractable legs, just 37 centimeters from its designated target point.
This test demonstrated critical technologies for ascent and descent stability, as well as precise landing capabilities using retro-propulsion. It marked the first time Honda had achieved a post-altitude landing, building on prior engine combustion and hovering tests conducted since 2024. Safety was paramount: the test site featured a 1-kilometer restricted radius, secured with barriers and personnel, and the rocket included an onboard system to ensure it stayed within predefined flight parameters.
The achievement positioned Honda as Japan’s first private company to successfully launch and land a reusable rocket, a feat previously dominated by U.S. and Chinese entities. This has sparked discussions in the global space community, with Honda’s efforts often compared to those of SpaceX and Blue Origin, though on a smaller scale initially.
At the heart of Honda’s rocket is its emphasis on reusability to enable multiple missions in short periods. The company is applying lessons from its automotive heritage, such as advanced control systems for automated driving, to ensure reliable performance. Data collected from the June test will inform future iterations, focusing on improving propulsion, structural integrity, and landing precision.
However, the project is still in its early stages. Honda has not yet made decisions on commercialization, and challenges remain in scaling up to suborbital capabilities. The global space race is intensifying, with competitors like SpaceX achieving orbital reusability, but Honda’s precise landing – within inches of the target – highlights its engineering prowess.
Honda’s roadmap includes achieving suborbital launch capability by 2029, with the potential to deploy small satellites weighing up to 1 metric ton. This could support services like remote sensing for monitoring climate change and extreme weather, or building satellite constellations for seamless communication integrated with Honda’s mobility products.
Toshihiro Mibe, Honda’s Global CEO, emphasized that this project aligns with the company’s commitment to environmental sustainability and safety, aiming to create new value that transcends time, place, and physical abilities. As of November 2025, work continues on the project, with no new test flights reported since June, but ongoing research suggests steady progress.
In the context of Japan’s growing private space sector, Honda’s initiative signals a national push to compete globally.
Honda’s reusable rocket project exemplifies how traditional industries can innovate in unexpected ways. By blending its engineering legacy with space ambitions, Honda is not just building a rocket – it’s crafting a future where space technology enhances everyday life. While still years from operational flights, the June 2025 test has proven Honda’s capabilities and ignited excitement for what’s next. As the company presses forward, it could redefine Japan’s place in the stars, challenging established players and inspiring a new era of accessible space exploration.
