Honda is no more only a vehicle manufacturer. The first successful launch and landing of a reusable rocket by the Japanese manufacturer this week represents a significant advancement in their developing interest in space technology.

The test was carried out at Taiki Town, a little area in Japan’s Hokkaido region that has been establishing itself as a national center for space development. Designed by Honda’s R&D division, the experimental rocket soared 890 feet before descending under control and landing. Touching down on four retractable legs, it landed remarkably precisely, just 37 centimeters from the target point.

Rising to almost 21 feet in height and weighing more than 2,800 pounds, the rocket spent 56.6 seconds in the air. For a company still mostly new to the aerospace industry, the clean liftoff and pinpoint landing mark represent a noteworthy achievement.

Honda first expressed interest in space back in 2021, although updates on its developments have been few. The company has tackled this endeavor in a rather Honda manner—quietly and methodically. Particularly from its work in automated driving systems and robotics, the company is using technologies it already knows well rather than building everything from scratch.

Those systems, which depend on sensors, artificial intelligence, and real-time data interpretation, are being modified to control flight stabilization and rocket guidance. Using automation ideas developed for self-driving cars to support spaceflight, Honda is clearly transferring its knowledge from road to air.

This excellent test indicates that the strategy is effective. It demonstrates Honda’s seriousness about joining the space industry, even if it is deviating from established aerospace players.

Suborbital Launches by 2029: The Bigger Vision

Although this test seems little in scope, it fits into a far more expansive vision. Honda’s sights are on suborbital space, and it wants to get there by 2020. This entails learning to launch rockets that pass more than 62 miles above sea level, outside of the Earth’s atmosphere.

Though they are not sufficient to place satellites into orbit, suborbital flights are extremely important for testing technologies and compiling real-world data. These flights are a stepping stone to maybe commercial uses in the future and help Honda improve its systems before trying more challenging tasks.

Honda has not yet stated any commercial intentions for its rocket program. Everything is still under research and development; there are no guarantees that the business will finally provide space launch capabilities. Still, the initiative has a calculated goal.

Like many tech-driven firms, Honda understands the increasing demand for satellite infrastructure. Data transmission, communication networks, and GPS systems all depend on satellites; thus, having the capacity to use them would help Honda in several spheres of operations. That covers logistics systems, linked cars, and smart mobility.

The issue now is whether the business will dedicate itself to expanding this initiative and finally challenge heavyweights like SpaceX and Blue Origin. Along with larger rockets, that stage would call for more infrastructure, long-term planning, and investment.

Honda has shown in the meantime that it can not only construct a rocket but also land it with almost perfect accuracy.

Though what comes next is yet unknown, one thing is certain: Honda landed exactly on target after making its first actual step into space.