Japan’s JAXA completed the first lift-off-and-landing test of prototype reusable rocket RV-X on 11 July 2026 at the Noshiro Rocket Testing Center, Akita Prefecture. The flight lasted about 40 seconds, reached ~10–11 m altitude, moved ~16 m horizontally and landed safely.
Test Overview
- Date & Venue: 11 July 2026, Noshiro Rocket Testing Center, Akita Prefecture.
- Flight profile: Duration ~40 seconds; peak altitude ~10–11 m; horizontal displacement ~16 m; vertical landing.
- Objective: Validate lift-off, controlled descent and landing technologies for reusable first stages.
RV-X: Design & Capability
- Dimensions: Height 7.3 m; diameter 1.8 m.
- Engine life: Engine designed for approximately 100 launches.
- Ground tests: Prototype completed over 160 combustion tests prior to flight.
Programme & Next Steps
- Planned tests: Incremental higher-altitude flights; target altitude for next phase ~100 m.
- Purpose: Technology maturation to reduce launch costs through stage reuse.
International Linkages
- CALLISTO: Cooperative reusable launch vehicle project involving Japan with France and Germany; test flight scheduled April 2027.
- Global context: Reusable launch development parallels activities by international commercial and state actors.
IASPOINT Booster Facts
- JAXA: Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency — Japan’s national space agency.
- Noshiro: Dedicated rocket test facility in Akita Prefecture, northeastern Honshu.
- Private-sector test: Honda R&D conducted Japan’s first private reusable rocket take-off-and-landing test in June 2025.