Chinese space startup Space Epoch (officially known as Beijing Jianyuan Technology Co., Ltd.) successfully completed its first sea-based vertical landing of a reusable verification rocket, in one of the country’s most impressive private sector space launches.
The rocket-an experimental piece called Yuanxingzhe-1 (YXZ-1) or Hiker-1 in English—lifted off from a floating steel launch platform at 4:40 p.m. local time.
Built from thin-walled stainless steel and standing 26.8 metres tall, the rocket soared to an altitude of 2.5 kilometres, shut down its engines, then successfully reignited them during descent and executed a controlled splashdown in the Yellow Sea, reports Space News.
Captured on video, the flight was completed in less than 2 minutes, with Space Epoch calling the test a “complete success,” saying it performed flawlessly through every stage—from take-off to landing.
According to the company, the test is a key step toward the company’s ultimate goal: launching rockets into orbit and bringing them back for reuse.
If successful, the full version of Hiker-1 could carry heavy satellites (weighing over 10 tonnes) into space and return for another flight, greatly slashing costs and making launches both more efficient, and less time consuming.
Furthermore, it also adds to China’s ambitions to further increase the involvement of private parties in its booming space sector, as it has seen a flurry of test flights by private players in collaboration with govt agencies, highlighting its ambitions of one day competing with giants like Space X and its Falcon 9 rocket.
This sea landing by Space Epoch sets a new benchmark for the country’s private space enterprise, showcasing how they can also compete in one of the most complex and cutting-edge areas of modern spaceflight.
Beyond launching satellites, the startup is already dreaming bigger, as it has proceeded to sign deals with Chinese satellite firms and even e-commerce giant Taobao, exploring futuristic concepts like rocket-based express deliveries. UNI ANV SSP
