Japan's space agency conducted a successful test of a reusable rocket prototype on Saturday in Akita Prefecture.
The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency tested its RV-X rocket at a facility in Noshiro. The prototype reached a maximum height of around 11 meters, moved about 16 meters horizontally, and flew for about 40 seconds before landing successfully.
Project manager Takashi Ito said in an online press conference, "The flight test went well. I feel relieved."
The RV-X measures around 7.3 meters in length and about 1.8 meters in diameter with four landing legs. JAXA plans to apply the test results to the design of its Callisto reusable vehicle, which is being developed jointly with France and Germany. A flight test of Callisto is scheduled before next April.
The effort aims to develop reusable technology to lower costs for satellite launches, as the H3 rocket can only be used once. Last year, Honda R&D Co conducted a successful flight test of a reusable rocket.
