I could swear that Jaxa had a similar (though initially smaller program) in the late 90ies. Not sure what happened with it. It did a few hops with a conical vehicle.
Quote from: Elmar Moelzer on 07/02/2025 07:59 pmI could swear that Jaxa had a similar (though initially smaller program) in the late 90ies. Not sure what happened with it. It did a few hops with a conical vehicle.RVT: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reusable_Vehicle_Testing
An engine combustion test for an experimental reusable rocket being developed by JAXA (the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency) was conducted at a test site in Noshiro City, Akita Prefecture, with the engine burning for over 40 seconds to obtain the necessary data.JAXA is currently researching and developing a reusable rocket that can be recovered and reused after launch, and plans to conduct a takeoff and landing flight test of the experimental vehicle, named "RV-X," within this fiscal year.The experimental vehicle is approximately 7.3 meters tall and 1.8 meters in diameter, with a conical fuselage equipped with a liquid-fuel engine and four landing gears to enable takeoff and landing while maintaining a vertical attitude.On the 20th, the final verification test before the flight test was conducted at the test site in Noshiro City, Akita Prefecture. When the engine was ignited with the vehicle fixed to the ground, a roaring sound was heard and combustion gases rose up.According to JAXA, the engine burned for over 40 seconds during the test to obtain the necessary data.The flight tests, scheduled for later this fiscal year [Q1 2026], will involve ascent of the vehicle to an altitude of about 10 meters and confirmation of its ability to land at a designated location. JAXA's Chief Experiment Officer, Takashi Ito, said, "This is an experimental vehicle to obtain basic technology in case Japan decides to develop a reusable rocket in the future. We have finally come this far since we began development around 2016. We would like to continue preparations for the flight tests."
