Honda Just Broke the Internet with Copy SpaceX Rockets Landing. Could This Really Work!?

The test you just witnessed was carried out by none other than Honda, a name long associated with precision engineering in cars and motorcycles. Now Honda is charting a bold new course in aerospace with the successful trial of its first ever rocket. What's drawing attention isn't just the milestone itself, but how closely the rocket's design mirrors the architecture of SpaceX's reusable systems, signaling the arrival of a surprising new contender following a familiar, proven path. So, how did Honda make this leap from roads to rockets? What elements of their design echo SpaceX's innovations? And what does this mean for their future in such a competitive field? Let's break it all down in today's episode of Great SpaceX. When people talk about Japanese aerospace, the focus is usually on the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency, aka JAXA. This includes well-known rockets like the H2, H3, and more recently lunar missions such as SLIM and Resilience. However, Japan's private aerospace sector is beginning to grow rapidly, following in the footsteps of leading space fairing nations like the United States and China. One of the most surprising and promising names to emerge in this trend is Honda. The test seen at the beginning of this video marks a major milestone for the company. It was Honda's first rocket test and took place on the 17th of June at their facility in Taiiki Hokkaido, which is widely known as Japan's space town. This type of test is formerly known as a vertical takeoff and landing test or VTOL. These trials are designed to examine both the launch and landing capabilities of new rockets, particularly those being developed for reuse. Honda has been planning this test since 2021 following the success of their earlier reusable engine tests. By all accounts, this was a highly successful start. The rocket fired for 56 seconds, reached an altitude of 271 m, and landed with precision just 37 cm from the target landing pad. Every stage of the flight was well controlled, smooth, and clearly demonstrated a high level of technical proficiency. Honda later stated that they achieved multiple objectives across each phase of the test. Looking ahead, the company is aiming to conduct larger and more ambitious tests, including a suborbital flight planned for 2029. So, how has Honda made such a significant leap in aerospace? While nothing has been officially confirmed, it appears that Honda's design has taken considerable inspiration from SpaceX rockets. Some might even argue that these similarities suggest elements of direct copying. To begin with, Honda's test rocket measures 6.3 m in height and 85 cm in diameter. Its dry weight is around 900 kg with a wet weight of around 1,312 kg. These dimensions are small, but this is understandable since the current model is intended for basic flight and landing verification rather than full scale orbital missions. The signs of SpaceX's influence become clearer when examining the rocket's systems. The most obvious similarity is the foldable landing leg design. SpaceX uses four landing legs on its Falcon 9 boosters that fold up during flight and deploy just before landing. Honda's rocket also has four legs, though they fold downward rather than upward. The purpose and function, however, are very much the same. To stabilize the vehicle during landing. Given Japan's access to the Pacific Ocean, this system could eventually support sea-based landings, much like SpaceX's use of drone ships. Another shared feature is the grid fin system. These fins, which help steer the rocket during descent, fold in when not in use and deploy to provide aerodynamic control and deceleration. This technology is employed by both Falcon 9 and Starship and now appears to be present on Honda's test rocket as well. In terms of construction materials, Honda seems to be using carbon fiber similar to what SpaceX's uses for some of its structures. The rocket's sleek white appearance is also reminiscent of Falcon 9's visual style. Looking at the rocket's shape, it closely resembles the upper stage of Starship with its long tapered nose cone and overall cylindrical form. The height to diameter ratio is nearly identical. The main difference is that Honda's design does not include the aerodynamic flaps used by Starship for controlled atmospheric descent. Given the similarities in shape and size, it is reasonable to suspect that Honda's rocket might eventually be paired with a booster stage. Another possibility is that it will use a combined configuration similar to Rocket Labs Neutron, which features a single structure that performs both stages of the mission. Fuel choice also aligns closely with SpaceX's current strategy. Honda's rocket uses liquid methane as indicated by the orange blue flame visible during the test. SpaceX has championed methane as a future forward fuel due to its cleaner burn, lower cost, and the ease with which it can be produced. Its environmental benefits and reusability make it especially appealing for modern rockets, and Honda appears to be following that same path. There may be other indicators of SpaceX influence as well, such as payload optimization for satellite delivery, possibly aimed at competing with constellations like Starlink. Another interesting parallel is the crossover between automotive and aerospace technologies. Just as SpaceX draws on Tesla's sensor and control technologies, Honda is likely to be integrating its own automotive expertise, including advanced sensors and precision controls, into its rocket program. While Honda's rocket does not copy SpaceX as directly as some Chinese models like the Xuche 3, the influence is certainly present. This is not necessarily a bad thing. It shows that aerospace companies around the world are learning from the remarkable progress SpaceX has made in recent years. So, what do you think? Given Honda's recent progress and promising first test, do you believe they can continue building on this success? Share your thoughts in the comments by responding with a yes or a no. And if you enjoyed this update, be sure to like the video and subscribe to our channel to stay uptodate on SpaceX and its growing list of global challengers. Overall, Honda's recent strategic move into the space industry signals a promising future for Japanese aerospace. The development of a new and potentially reusable rocket system adds a valuable option to Japan's growing list of launch vehicles. With Honda's entry into the sector, Japan will gain more flexibility in planning future space missions. For example, the country could begin developing its own satellite constellations similar to SpaceX's Starlink to support global communication networks. In the long term, once the International Space Station is retired, Japan may even consider operating its own space station, a reliable and cost-effective vehicle like Honda's rocket would be a major asset in making such goals achievable. More importantly, Honda's involvement introduces a new chapter in Japan's aerospace development, one focused on reusability. This has been a key trend in the global space industry. Yet, Japan's traditional launch vehicles have not yet adopted this approach. As many analysts have pointed out, reusable rockets can significantly reduce costs, increase launch frequency, improve turnaround time, and provide greater mission flexibility. Honda's rocket represents a shift toward modern practices, and could serve as a powerful inspiration for the rest of Japan's space sector. Honda's success is also likely to spark domestic competition. Several other Japanese private aerospace companies are actively developing their own technologies, including Space 1, Interstellar Technologies, and Innovative Space Carrier. This growing competition will push the industry forward, encouraging innovation and rapid progress. Honda's early success is already a testament to the company's potential. Achieving a successful launch and landing on the first attempt is a rare feat. Many rocket systems face failure during early testing stages, and some programs are even cancelled after their first setback. Honda's precise and controlled performance stands out as a model for efficient and effective rocket development. There's also an exciting possibility tied to Honda's automotive legacy. Known for its excellence in manufacturing and technology, Honda could leverage its core strengths to bring a new business mindset to spaceflight. This includes applying advanced sensor technology, streamlined production techniques, and perhaps even marketing strategies that make spaceflight more accessible. Such capabilities might eventually open the door to commercial services like space tourism, which would be a unique advantage over traditional aerospace firms. If the vehicle continues to perform well in domestic missions, Honda's rocket could also help expand Japan's presence on the global stage. Like SpaceX's Falcon rockets, Honda's system could offer affordable and reliable launch services to international customers, strengthening Japan's role in the global space economy. Perhaps most importantly, Honda's rocket could play a significant role in Japan's ongoing efforts in lunar exploration. For years, Japan has sent a series of robotic missions to the moon. And while the results have been mixed, the country remains committed to reaching its lunar goals. These efforts may include long-term collaborations with NASA as well as independent objectives such as building lunar tracking systems or even establishing a base on the moon. When the time comes, Honda's rocket may prove to be a vital tool in achieving these ambitious milestones. Despite the promising results seen in its recent test, the Honda rocket still faces a wide range of significant challenges. To begin with, the most immediate limitation comes from the rocket's size. Based on current data, Honda's rocket appears to be quite small. While future versions may be scaled up, there is no indication that the increase will be substantial. This naturally leads to a lower payload capacity compared to most of today's operational rockets. Unless Honda can offer compelling advantages such as significantly lower launch costs, higher reliability, or quicker turnaround times, it may struggle to stand out in an increasingly competitive market. Another challenge lies in the project timeline. According to Honda, suborbital flights will not take place until at least 2029. This suggests that full orbital missions may not begin until well into the next decade. By that time, many of the industry's leading players will have advanced even further. SpaceX's Falcon series will be deeply established, and its next generation Starship could already be handling a wide range of missions, including human space flight and interplanetary travel. Competing with such mature and capable systems will be extremely difficult, especially for a newcomer. Because of its relatively compact scale, the Honda rocket also seems limited in its ability to take on major roles in Japan's long-term space goals, such as lunar exploration. While it could potentially serve as a support vehicle, helping with satellite deployment or supply missions, the heavier and more complex tasks will likely continue to depend on international partners. This means Japan's dream of leading deep space missions independently may still be a long way off. And these are just some of the known challenges. There will be many others to overcome along the way, including technical risks, cost control, market competition, and the need for long-term investment. It is clear that Honda's space ambitions come with both great promise and serious uncertainty. However, the progress shown so far reflects the remarkable determination and innovative spirit of the Japanese people. The fact that this leap into aerospace comes from a company long known for making cars speaks volumes about the changing landscape of the industry. It is a powerful sign of how diverse and dynamic the future of space exploration has become. As Honda moves forward, there is every reason to watch this project closely. Whether it becomes a major player or a niche contributor, its journey will be an important part of Japan's space story. We will continue to monitor its development. So, if you are curious to see how far this new rocket can go, be sure to stay connected with our channel. This has been Kevin with Great SpaceX. Don't forget to like the video and subscribe if you haven't already to stay uptodate with yours truly on the latest milestones in SpaceX's journey. Thank you so much for watching and always remember curiosity, imagination and inspiration will follow you so long as you keep looking up.