TOKYO, eleventh July, 2026 (WAM) — An experimental Japanese reusable rocket efficiently lifted off and landed safely throughout its first take a look at flight immediately, Saturday, as Japan seeks to accumulate the know-how to scale back launch prices and compete within the international area market dominated by SpaceX.
The RV-X rocket lifted off, hovered and moved horizontally earlier than touchdown throughout a flight lasting lower than one minute on the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency’s Noshiro Testing Centre in north-eastern Japan. The take a look at was broadcast stay by NVS, a bunch of area fans.
The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) is predicted to supply particulars of the outcomes throughout an internet press convention later immediately.
Japan is in search of to meet up with the reusable rocket know-how employed for a number of years by Elon Musk’s SpaceX to scale back the price of transporting payloads into area.
Today’s flight represents a step ahead in Japan’s efforts to accumulate the know-how required to develop a lower-cost rocket to exchange the expendable H3 sequence, which serves because the mainstay of the nation’s launch programme.
The flight got here at some point after Chinese state media reported that China had efficiently recovered the primary stage of a rocket following launch for the primary time.