Rocket Report: Asian Reuse Milestones & SpaceX at Vandenberg
Welcome to our expanded edition of the Rocket Report, covering two major reusable rocket milestones in Asia and SpaceX’s growing dominance at Vandenberg Space Force Base. We dive deeper into technical specifications, market implications, environmental concerns, and future outlook.
Honda’s Precision Hopper Achieves VTOL Milestone
An experimental vehicle from Honda R&D Company achieved a successful vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) test in Hokkaido, Japan, reaching an altitude of 900 feet (275 meters). Powered by a liquid oxygen and ethanol propulsion system generating approximately 10 kN of thrust, the single-engine hopper demonstrated key technologies for guidance, navigation, and control (GNC).
Flight Profile and Guidance System
The vehicle used an inertial navigation system (INS) paired with LIDAR altimetry to maintain position within 1 meter of its landing target. Throttle modulation was achieved via a pintle-valve injector, enabling a smooth descent at 15 m/s. This represents the first such test outside the US and China, marking Japan’s entry into reusable launch architecture research.
Landspace Validates Zhuque-3 Methalox Core
Chinese startup Landspace performed a full-duration static fire of its Zhuque-3 first stage on June 18. The nine TQ-15 methalox engines, each producing 200 kN of thrust, ignited sequentially and fired for 45 seconds, exercising gimballing to ±4° for thrust vector control.
Reusability Architecture
The Zhuque-3 design mirrors Falcon 9 in its booster-centric recovery concept. The planned first-stage booster includes grid fins for atmospheric control and deployable landing legs. Payload capacity is 21,000 kg to LEO in expendable mode or 18,300 kg with booster recovery downrange.
Vandenberg: SpaceX’s West Coast Hub
On June 16, SpaceX launched its 200th orbital mission from SLC-4E at Vandenberg SFB, deploying 26 Starlink V2 Mini satellites. Of these, 131 flights used Falcon 9 boosters, underscoring rapid cadence and pad reutilization.
Infrastructure Enhancements
Recent upgrades include a new transporter-erector with automated fueling lines supporting helium pressurization and supercooled liquid oxygen delivery. These improvements cut pad turnaround time to 48 hours between flights, compared to 72 hours a year ago.
Global Launch Market Dynamics
A joint statement by Arianespace and Avio highlights the need for European institutional support to maintain competitiveness against US- and China-backed programs. European projects like ASTRE aim to develop a full-flow staged-combustion methalox engine producing 200–300 t of thrust, rivalling SpaceX Raptor.
Environmental and Regulatory Outlook
“As launch frequency approaches 2,000 flights per year, ozone depletion from chlorine and black carbon may impede recovery,” warns Dr. Laura Revell of the University of Canterbury.
Meanwhile, proposed FAA fees will charge up to $1.50 per pound of payload by 2033 to fund regulatory oversight, potentially adding $200,000 per mission.
Comparative Analysis: Reusable Rocket Strategies
- SpaceX: Propulsive landing with COPVs, grid fins, and payload fairing recovery.
- Blue Origin: Vertical booster recovery, focusing on BE-4 methane engines.
- Asian Players: Honda exploring ethanol-LOX VTOL hoppers; Landspace scaling methane-LOX reusable cores.
Future Outlook and Conclusions
With Honda and Landspace advancing reusable prototypes, and SpaceX cementing its infrastructure on both coasts, the global launch industry is at an inflection point. Increased regulatory fees and environmental considerations will shape next-generation vehicles. Below are the next three scheduled launches:
- June 21: Falcon 9 | Transporter-14 | Vandenberg SFB | 21:19 UTC
- June 22: Falcon 9 | Starlink 10-23 | Cape Canaveral SFS | 05:47 UTC
- June 23: Atlas V | Project Kuiper KA-02 | Cape Canaveral SFS | 10:54 UTC