Many Honda employees share a fundamental mindset that if something benefits people, they would give it a try. We do not see ourselves as doing anything outlandish. Beyond automobiles and motorcycles, space is simply another potential domain.

With limited energy resources on Earth, transporting energy for space activities from Earth every time or using disposable rockets to reach space is unsustainable. That is why establishing a system for energy circulation in space is essential for future society. We believe that by applying Honda’s diverse core technologies to these challenges, we can potentially contribute to realizing a sustainable society and enriching people’s lives.

Furthermore, the dream of young engineers to take on the challenge of space is how this project began. Giving tangible form to this aspiration holds significant meaning, leading us to conclude this endeavor is truly worthwhile.

In the beginning, there were many teams conducting various research activities. We consolidated these efforts and established the Space Research Team in 2019, defining Honda’s objectives for space exploration and the key areas to focus on. Aligned with this policy, we are currently advancing three research projects. The rocket project is one such project.

We believe that global economic activity will shift from the mobility of people and goods to the movement of data, leading to an explosive increase in data flow. Honda has expanded people’s lives through its mobility products on the ground and sea, and in the sky. It feels natural for Honda to contribute to the movement of data, and we see it as significant for Honda’s evolution as a mobility company.

To achieve this, we need more satellites for data communication, which makes rockets essential for transporting them into space. However, currently operational rockets are extremely expensive to launch, creating a high barrier to entry for private companies and startups. To solve this, we aim to contribute to the expansion of satellites by lowering this barrier through efforts like reducing rocket costs, improving convenience, and developing sustainable transport rockets.

As a company conducting business on Earth, Honda always considers environmental impact in its research and development. The same applies to rockets. Even if the technological hurdles are high, we believe we should strive for sustainable reusability rather than discarding rockets after each use.

Broadly speaking, rockets have some components in common with automobiles, and we are leveraging core technologies such as combustion and airframe control developed through product development. We have also referenced technologies cultivated not only in automobiles but also such as the HondaJet and F1. In the development of our experimental rocket, we also consulted various departments within the company, which made us once again realize the breadth of the technologies and expertise Honda has cultivated.

The turbopump, which delivers methane and oxygen from the tanks to the rocket engine's combustor, was the most challenging. It plays a crucial role, essentially serving as the rocket's heart. Rocket engines use liquid propellants at extremely low temperatures, ranging from approximately -160ºC to -180ºC, and we had absolutely no prior expertise in this area within the company.

We knew that developing our own turbopump would be a high hurdle, but we remained committed to doing it ourselves. We persevered with development and were able to install it on our experimental rocket for the launch and landing test.

The turbopump is so critical that its performance essentially determines the rocket's quality. Even if we ultimately outsourced this key technology, we believed it was vital to first attempt it ourselves to understand just how difficult it is.

In our launch and landing test, we launched the rocket to an altitude of 271.4 meters. Reaching that height is possible without a turbopump. However, Honda's ultimate goal is to deliver satellites into space. Since a turbopump will eventually be necessary for reaching space, we included it even at the experimental stage.

It was incredibly quiet on the ground just before launch, filled with an indescribable tension. No matter how thoroughly we prepared, we could not be certain it would go according to plan, although we anticipated every possible scenario. Everyone held their breath, staring at the rocket through the monitors.

While other members were in the control room monitoring the experiment on their screens, I was observing the experiment outdoors, sufficiently distant from the launch pad. I cannot forget the loud cheers over the radio when we received confirmation of a safe landing.

I cannot remember doing it, but when I checked the camera footage, I was literally jumping for joy. It was a bit embarrassing, but I really felt like crying, and I hugged the other members to share my happiness.

What we want to achieve, however, is making this not something special, but the norm. We want to create a world where private rockets travel between space and Earth as routinely as planes take off and land at airports.

Once we can do that, there will not be the heart-pounding excitement with every launch, or the cheers after landing, like we have now. So for now, I think it's alright for us to let our emotions show.

Closing the fins allows for smoother post-landing safety checks, but strictly speaking is not necessary. But still, it does look cool. Think of it as an engineer's obsession.

Space remains largely unexplored territory. Still, I firmly believe succeeding in this research will undoubtedly benefit society. Making space more accessible and enriching people's lives is a goal I intend to dedicate my utmost effort toward.

I also want to realize the same mission: to make use of space more accessible. In fact, about 20 years ago, I aspired to become an astronaut, and I have held a strong passion for space ever since. My personal dream of being involved with space is also a major driving force. If I could fulfill that dream using a rocket I built myself, nothing could make me happier.

Our founder, Soichiro Honda, left us with the words: "Don't work for the company; work for yourself." I want to contribute to society in the field of rockets and space while also realizing my own dreams.