BrandWikiReturn

Space Epoch

Space Epoch is a Chinese space launch company based on Beijing, which is developing a stainless-steel, methane-liquid oxygen type rocket, named XZY-1 or Yuanxingzhe-1 (元行者一号).[1][2] The company secured a 200 million yuan (US$27.6m) in financing in 2023.[3][4] A collaboration with Taobao (Alibaba‘s e-commerce shopping platform) to make reusable rockets for parcel delivery was announced in March 2024.[4][5][6][7][8][9]

History

In January 2023, the company performed hot fire tests of its rocket.[10][11]

The XZY-1 rocket is 64 meters tall, with a payload capacity of 6.500 kg to 1.100 km sun-synchronous orbit (SSO).[2] The tanks are three and fours meter diameter.[2] The cargo cabin has a volume of over 120 m3.[9][8][5] The Yuanxingzhe 1 is designed to be reusable and capable to sea landing.[12][13][8]

First flight was planned in 2025.[1][4] It's now planned for the end of 2026.[14]

Launches

References

  1. Andrew Jones. Deep Blue Aerospace secures strategic funding, landmark VTVL rocket test soon August 13, 2024^
  2. Mini Starship? Chinese startup wants to make its own version of SpaceX Mars rocket Space.com, November 11, 2022^
  3. Andrew Jones. Chinese reusable rocket maker to cooperate on new MEO constellation May 30, 2024^
  4. China's Taobao working with startup on deliveries by reusable rocket Reuters, 31 March 2024^
  5. TechNode Feed. Alibaba to test rocket package delivery service with China's startup Space Epoch · TechNode TechNode, April 2, 2024^
  6. China's Taobao working with startup on deliveries by reusable rocket The Business Times, March 31, 2024^
  7. Jim Pollard. China's Alibaba Trialling Deliveries Via a Reusable Rocket April 1, 2024^
  8. Alibaba signs to explore one-hour rocket deliveries • The Register^
  9. Alibaba to test rocket parcel delivery service in lofty attempt to ship goods anywhere in the world within an hour Yahoo Finance, April 1, 2024^
  10. Andrew Jones. Chinese startups conduct hot fire tests for mini version of SpaceX's Starship January 19, 2023^
  11. China begins testing 'mini Starship' rocket engine - AeroTime www.aerotime.aero, January 20, 2023^
  12. Govind Choudhary. Weekly Tech Recap: OnePlus Nord CE4 5G launch, Apple vulnerabilities, and more mint, 6 April 2024^
  13. One-hour 'rocket' delivery worldwide if Alibaba has its way mint, 6 April 2024^
  14. Martin Smith. Despite initial setbacks, Chinese spaceflight expected to see exciting 2026 5 February 2026^
  15. Andrew Jones. Chinese launch startup conducts vertical takeoff and splashdown test SpaceNews, 2025-05-29, retrieved 2025-05-30^
  16. Eduardo Baptista. China's Space Epoch conducts key test for reusable rocket ambitions Reuters, 2025-05-29, retrieved 2025-05-30^