Beijing-based aerospace firm Space Epoch has successfully completed a vertical sea recovery test of its verification rocket, marking a significant step in China's pursuit of reusable launch vehicle technology. The Yanxingzhe-1 rocket, standing 26.8 meters tall and weighing 57 tonnes, executed a precise 125-second flight off Shandong Province's coast, reaching 2.5 kilometers altitude before descending vertically into the sea.
Video footage released by the company shows the stainless-steel rocket reigniting its engine during descent, hovering briefly above the ocean surface, and landing in a stable vertical position. Post-flight analysis confirmed all systems performed as designed, with experts hailing the test as a breakthrough in marine recovery capabilities.
This achievement aligns with broader developments in China's commercial space sector. Earlier this year, the Zhuque-3 rocket and another prototype from the Shanghai Academy of Spaceflight Technology completed 10-kilometer vertical takeoff and landing tests. Expace Technology's Kuaizhou rocket and i-Space's SQX-2Y have also demonstrated similar reusable technologies through recent experiments.
Industry analysts note these advancements could significantly reduce space launch costs while increasing mission frequency, potentially reshaping Asia's commercial space landscape. The progress comes as global interest grows in sustainable space exploration technologies and cost-effective satellite deployment solutions.
