Japan Tests Reusable Rocket in Launch Milestone

Japan successfully launched and landed an experimental reusable rocket on Saturday, marking the country's first successful flight test as it seeks to reduce launch costs and compete in the global space market dominated by SpaceX.

The RV-X rocket lifted off from the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency's (JAXA) Noshiro Test Center in northeastern Japan before hovering, maneuvering horizontally and landing safely during a flight lasting less than one minute. The test was broadcast live by Japanese space enthusiast group NVS.

JAXA is expected to present the results of the flight during an online press conference later on Saturday.

Japan is developing reusable rocket technology to lower the cost of transporting payloads into space and eventually replace its expendable H3 launch vehicle, the backbone of the country's current launch program.

The test came one day after Chinese state media reported that China had successfully recovered the first stage of a rocket for the first time after launch, highlighting growing competition in reusable space technology.