The Chinese company Sepoch conducted the first launch of a prototype reusable rocket. It successfully performed a vertical takeoff followed by a splashdown.
A prototype of the YXZ-1 rocket, measuring 26.8 meters in height, 4.2 meters in diameter, and with a launch weight of 57 tons, was used for the test. Its hull is made of thin-walled stainless steel. Methane is used as fuel, and liquid oxygen as an oxidizer.
The prototype rocket was launched on May 28 from a floating spaceport located off the coast of the city of Haiyang. The published video shows how it takes off vertically from the launch pad, reaches an altitude of 2.5 km, and shuts down its engines. During the subsequent descent, the engines are reignited, after which the aircraft performs a controlled descent and a soft splashdown. In total, the entire flight lasted 125 seconds.
In its statement, Sepoch announced that the test had been a complete success. The prototype successfully completed all eight main flight phases: ignition and lift-off, full-throttle ascent, thrust adjustment, engine shutdown, free descent, engine restart, deceleration and hovering, and a soft splashdown.
Official video: https://t.co/Bmhdtg3yYi pic.twitter.com/oP4MYVqrai
— Andrew Jones (@AJ_FI) May 29, 2025
The company’s next task is to conduct a full flight of the YXZ-1. It is planned to be carried out at the end of this year. According to previous reports, the rocket is designed for multiple use and will be capable of delivering up to 10 tons of cargo into low Earth orbit.
It is worth noting that these aren’t the first tests of a reusable Chinese rocket this year. In January, the Shanghai Academy of Spaceflight Technology (SAST) conducted a high-altitude test of the Long March 12 rocket prototype. During these flights, it was planned to reach an altitude of 75 km. Although unofficial footage has appeared on the internet, apparently showing the initial phase of the flight, the company has not yet made any official statements about its results.
You can also read about the recently launched Chinese mission Tianwen-2, which aims to study Earth’s quasi-satellite and a comet-like asteroid.
According to Spacenews
