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Investing.com -- Honda Motor Co (NYSE:HMC). completed a successful launch and landing test of its prototype reusable rocket on Tuesday, marking a significant step toward its goal of achieving suborbital spaceflight by 2029.
The test, conducted at Honda’s facility in Taiki, northern Japan, saw the 6.3-metre (20.6-foot) experimental reusable launch vehicle reach an altitude of 271 metres (889 feet) before successfully landing.
The surprise announcement by Honda R&D, the research arm of Japan’s second-biggest automaker, reveals progress in space technology development that had not been previously detailed to the public.
The company first mentioned in 2021 that it was studying space technologies including reusable rockets, but had not shared specific information about launch tests until now.
In its statement, Honda clarified that "no decisions have been made regarding commercialization of these rocket technologies." The company plans to continue fundamental research with the goal of developing the technological capability for a suborbital launch by 2029.
A suborbital flight reaches the edge of space but does not enter orbit around Earth.