Stay up to date with notifications from The IndependentNotifications can be managed in browser preferences.Jump to contentThank you for registeringPlease refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged inAllNewsSportCultureLifestyleJAXA successfully landed its experimental Reusable Vehicle eXperiment (RV-X) rocket (AP)Japan’s space agency, JAXA, successfully landed its experimental Reusable Vehicle eXperiment (RV-X) rocket, lifting it 11 metres off the ground before an upright landing 16 metres away at its Noshiro Testing Center. This achievement marks the first time the Japanese space agency has managed a successful launch and landing of a rocket, representing a significant milestone for the country’s space programme. JAXA intends to conduct further tests with the RV-X, planning to send it to an altitude of approximately 100 metres before proceeding with future orbital launches. The successful test flight by JAXA occurred just one day after China also achieved a successful landing of its own reusable Long March 10B rocket, which utilised a sea-borne net-capture system for an actual satellite mission. Reusable rocket technology, initially pioneered by SpaceX, is transforming spaceflight by making access to space considerably cheaper, easier, and more sustainable through the recovery and reuse of booster components. In fullJapan lands SpaceX-style reusable rocket for first timeMore bulletinsThank you for registeringPlease refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in