Honda Launches Reusable Rocket Hopper

casualSTEM delivers brief and informative summaries of the latest science news every Saturday. Full of jokes, silly polls, and a cartoon!

Honda Rocket

Not satisfied with earthly engines, Honda has entered the reusable rocket business after Hopper’s successful test launch.

• Hopper = ~8 foot tall launch vehicle

• Landed within 15 inches of target

• Uses 6 oxygen-methane engines

Honda leveraged their robotics and AI platforms to develop Hopper’s guidance and recovery systems. This landed launch is a major step towards their goal of sending a ~110 lb. payload to orbit by 2030. I always knew my Civic was a rocket ship!

Great gas mileage for a rocket

Catch-up on science in sweatpants