Space Epoch
Chinese space launch company
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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
| Rocket & Serial | Date | Payload | Orbit | Launch Site | Outcome | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yuanxingzhe-1 (YXZ-1) | 28 May 2025, | None | Suborbital | Sea-based space launch centre, off the waters of the eastern province of Shandong | Success | First sea-based vertical landing of a reusable rocket in China. |
