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 Motor – landed a rocket for the first time on Tuesday – after it reached an altitude of nearly 1,000 feet.
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 , 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 to pull off a flight like this.
The company said the launch and landing test demonstrated “key 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 .
Other car makers like Geely, GM, Hyundai-Kia, 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 in space tech startups – rather than independently developing rockets yet.
It comes after talk of a merger between car rivals Nissan and Honda .
But the door to collaboration remains wide open.
CEOsaid in March that the company is “very open”; to partnerships.
The company’s chief performance officer, Guillaume Cartier, saidhad “never stopped”; talking with itsrival, 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 aboutbut how to push Nissan into the next era of technology.”;
Toshihiro Mibe has been the CEO of Honda Motor Co. since 2021.
