Sling It continues to surprise with its commitment to technological innovation, and this time it is not about cars, or motorcycles, nor EV quadricycles, but of rockets. The company’s research and development division, Honda R & D Co., Ltd.has achieved an important milestone in its aerospace project when completing, with success, or the autonomous flight and landing test of its first reusable experimental rocket.
The essay was carried out in the company’s exclusive test facilities, located in the town of Taiki, on the Japanese island of Hokkaido, an area that has become one of the emerging poles of the Japanese space sector. By the way, do not miss the complete video of the test you have here.
A little rocket, “a great step for humanity”
The proven prototype is a rocket of 6.3 meters in length, 85 cm in diameter and with an approximate weight of 1,300 kilograms at the time of takeoff.
During the test, it reached a maximum altitude of 271.4 meters before executing a totally autonomous descent maneuver, landing vertically with a margin of error of just 37 centimeters with respect to the planned point. The whole process, from the launch to the landing, had a duration of a little less than a minute.
This essay represents the first time Sling Get to launch and safely recover a internally developed rocket, and feel the foundations for future advances towards a more sustainable, economical and efficient launch technology.
Unlike the traditional single -use rockets, the model developed by Honda is framed within the category of “Reusable launch vehicles”This type of rocket can take off vertically, complete a mission, return in a controlled way and be prepared for another flight after minimal maintenance tasks. Obviously, it is a concept that, in addition to drastically reducing the costs of access to space, minimizes the environmental impact and waste of materials.
This does not come from too far, because Honda officially announced in 2021 its entry into the development of space technology, not with the intention of competing directly with aerospace giants, but to take advantage of its accumulated experience in key areas such as efficient combustion, advanced robotics and autonomous driving systems.
The objective, fulfilled at the moment, is to create a rocket «recyclable«, Able to meet demands such as the launch of low orbit satellites, support for global communication networks, terrestrial observation and other emerging applications, including internet connectivity of things (IoT).
So, Sling Progressive advances have been made for 4 years, including engines ignition tests, air suspension tests and flight control. This last autonomous landing milestone is the culmination of a critical phase of verification of the stability and precision of the system.
The place chosen for these tests was not by chance. The city of Taiki, in Hokkaido, has experienced a remarkable boom as a space trial center, and houses facilities of the Jaxa Japanese Space Agency and various emerging companies dedicated to exploration and space transport.
The support of local authorities has been key to turn this area into a nerve point of the nascent Japanese aerospace industry. We could say that it is the “Cabo Cañaveral Japón”. Well, more or less.
The global executive director of Sling, Toshihiro Mibehe defined this project as a new challenge that faithfully represents the innovative spirit of the company. According to Mibethese types of developments will allow Sling Not only diversify its technological offer, but also contribute to environmental, energy and global transport sustainability through high efficiency and low impact solutions.
Competition for Spacex? Not yet, but …
Although the advance of Sling It is promising, it is still far from the level reached by Spacexthe American company led by Elon Muskwhose rockets Falcon 9 They have been successfully reused on more than 20 occasions, reaching orbital heights above 550 km and landing on floating platforms with millimeter accuracy.
Well, we have also seen them crash a few times. We, for now, would not get on one or crazy.
Of course, in contrast, the Japanese prototype has barely exceeded 270 meters of altitude, so it is still in an early technical phase of validation. However, the medium -term objective is clearly defined.
Sling He wants to get suborbital flights by 2029, which would place the brand as one of the first Asian companies to dominate rocket recovery technology.
The Golden Wing House has taken a small step in height, but huge in ambition. The successful test of its reusable rocket marks the start of a new stage for the company, which continues to expand its influence beyond the roads. If you maintain this rhythm of development, the dream of actively participating in the space industry (with sustainable, precise and profitable launches) could become a reality in the next decade.
