According to Nikkei Asia, the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) will launch a prototype of the reusable rocket RV-X on July 11 local time. This rocket is designed to reduce the cost of space launches and aims to emulate SpaceX's technology.
This rocket test flight will be conducted at the JAXA Niitae Rocket Testing Center in Akita Prefecture. The launch was originally scheduled for March this year, but it was postponed due to bad weather and equipment failures.
JAXA plans to launch the RV-X experimental reusable rocket on July 11th. 《Nikkei Asia》
Since 2016, JAXA has been developing the RV-X. As of last year, multiple rounds of engine combustion tests have been completed. According to JAXA, the goal of this project is to make low-cost reusable rockets commercially viable by the early 2030s, thereby replacing the H3 rocket as JAXA's main carrier vehicle.
It is reported that this test flight aims to verify the aircraft’s guidance and landing technology. According to the plan, during the test, the first-stage body of the RV-X will be launched to an altitude of about 10 meters, then fly laterally for approximately 15 meters, and finally complete a landing.
The Japanese government has announced a policy goal of reducing the cost of space launches to one-tenth of the cost of H3 rocket launches by the early 2040s. Reusable rockets are key to achieving this goal.
