Japan Successfully Tests Reusable Rocket, a Solution to Reduce Space Costs

Tokyo (ANTARA) - The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) successfully tested a reusable rocket prototype in Akita Prefecture, north-eastern Japan, on Saturday, with the success representing an important step towards reducing future space launch costs.

In the test, conducted at JAXA’s facility in Noshiro City, the RV-X rocket landed safely after reaching a maximum altitude of about 11 metres and travelling horizontally for roughly 16 metres. The entire flight lasted around 40 seconds.

“The flight test went well. I feel relieved,” said Project Manager Takashi Ito at an online press conference.

Reusable rocket technology has already been commercialised by the American company SpaceX through its two-stage Falcon 9 rocket.

JAXA said the results of the RV-X test will be used in the design of a reusable launch vehicle named Callisto, which is currently being developed together with France and Germany.

According to JAXA, the RV-X rocket is about 7.3 metres long with a diameter of approximately 1.8 metres, and is equipped with four landing legs.

Japan’s current flagship rocket, the H3, can only be used for a single launch. Japan is therefore continuing to develop reusable rocket technology to increase the frequency of satellite launches whilst reducing operational costs.

Last year, Honda R&D Co., a subsidiary of automaker Honda Motor Co., also successfully conducted a flight test of a reusable rocket. That test marked the first success for reusable rocket technology developed by Japan’s private sector.

Source: Kyodo-OANA