Japan’s space agency announced on Saturday that it has successfully conducted the first test flight and landing of a prototype reusable rocket, marking a significant development in the country’s efforts to reduce space launch costs. The test took place at the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) facility in Noshiro, located in the Akita region.

The prototype rocket ascended to an altitude of approximately 10 meters (33 feet) before returning to land safely, with the entire flight lasting around 40 seconds. Takashi Ito, the lead of the launch team at JAXA, described the successful takeoff and landing as a major relief after extensive preparation. He noted that while the agency will analyze flight data to assess the test's overall success, initial indications suggest they obtained valuable information to inform future developments.

Reusable rocket technology aims to lower the substantial costs associated with space launches, as traditional rockets typically use components only once. These components often fall into the ocean, burn up in the atmosphere, or contribute to orbital debris after launch. The ability to recover and reuse parts, particularly the first-stage booster—which is the most expensive element—could dramatically reduce expenses.

SpaceX, a private U.S. company, has led the way in operational reusable rockets since 2017 with its Falcon 9 vehicle. Recently, China also made strides in this area, achieving its first successful reusable rocket landing on Friday, positioning itself as an emerging competitor in the field of cost-effective space technology.

Japan’s progress follows earlier achievements in the sector. In June of the previous year, a subsidiary of Honda became the first Japanese company to successfully launch and land a reusable rocket, underscoring growing domestic industry capabilities. The country aims to enhance the international competitiveness of its space launch sector through continued innovation in reusable technologies.