Honda hails successful test of reusable rocket as it looks to get into the space business

Tokyo — Japan's second-biggest carmaker, Honda, has successfully tested an experimental reusable rocket, the company says, as it seeks to expand into the space sector.

Honda, which hopes to develop the tech prowess for a suborbital launch by 2029, conducted a test flight of its rocket on the northern Japanese island of Hokkaido.

"The test was completed successfully, the first time Honda landed a rocket after reaching an altitude of nearly 300 meters (about 984 feet)," the company said in a statement on Tuesday.