In June, Honda successfully launched a prototype reusable rocket measuring 20 feet in length at its research facility located in Hokkaido, Japan. While primarily recognized as an automotive manufacturer, Honda has diversified its portfolio to include motorcycles, scooters, e-bikes, ATVs, boat motors, and jets. Notably, the company has developed significant innovations such as the first in-car navigation system and the first mass-produced automatic braking system. Honda’s recent advancements toward space exploration have raised questions about their strategic direction.
Kazuo Sakurahara, a former director of Honda’s Formula One team, who now manages the company’s space development strategy, characterized this move as a logical progression. He noted that Honda products have already expanded across land, sea, and air, suggesting that venturing into space is a natural next step.
The company aims to enhance daily life through this initiative while also recognizing the potential role of rockets in supporting its core businesses. Sakurahara mentioned that launched satellites could facilitate mobility, energy, and communication—elements increasingly crucial in advanced vehicle systems. Market research expert Sam Abuelsamid highlighted the utility of such initiatives, suggesting that Honda might benefit by reducing dependency on existing space launch providers like SpaceX.
Sakurahara elaborated on Honda’s broader ambitions, mentioning a new circulative energy system intended for sustainable activities in space, including human colonies on the Moon. This system will involve a solar array developed in collaboration with Astrobotic to generate electricity and produce oxygen and hydrogen for fuel cells.
Furthermore, Honda is repurposing technology from its previous robotic projects to design human-controlled avatar robots for space tasks. While Sakurahara emphasized that Honda has not yet developed a full-size rocket capable of significant payloads, he noted progress has been made with their prototype. Abuelsamid remarked on the potential for Honda to launch in the early 2030s, raising anticipation regarding its future role in space exploration.
Source: https://www.theverge.com/transportation/832364/honda-reusable-rocket-space-exploration