Honda Takes Off

First, let’s take a look at the bare numbers. In June 2025, Honda successfully launched and landed its first experimental reusable rocket. The test took place in Taiki, a small coastal town in northern Japan that has become, or at least plans to become, a center of private space development. The six-meter rocket reached an altitude of about 270 meters, hovered briefly, and touched down just 37 centimeters from its target.

Honda seems to have long-term goals here, which are of course also in the nature of the thing (SpaceX, for example, is a project of the century, which one of Elon Musk's 150 children will surely continue for many years to come). The company plans to reach suborbital space by 2029, developing the technology using its own expertise in combustion engines, control systems, and robotics. The rocket initiative is not aimed at tourism or satellite deployment yet. Instead, it focuses on mastering the core principles of reusable spaceflight. In addition, this project also offers completely new military and geopolitical possibilities.

The mission is part of a larger strategy that includes lunar energy systems, next-generation mobility, and intelligent robotics. Although Honda is still in its early stages, its entry into the space industry signals serious intentions and is likely to become a future number 2 in the industry alongside the current market leader, the SpaceX.

Honda may not match the aggressive pace of SpaceX, but that may not be their goal. The days when Japan acted mostly out of imperial motivation are long gone.