Article · Wikipedia archive · Last revised Jul 28, 2026

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). The company secured a 200 million yuan (US$27.6m) in financing in 2023. A collaboration with Taobao to make reusable rockets for parcel delivery was announced in March 2024.

Last revised
Jul 28, 2026
Read time
≈ 2 min
Length
548 w
Citations
25
Source
Wikipedia ↗
Beijing Jianyuan Technology Co., Ltd.
Space Epoch
Native name
北京箭元科技有限责任公司
TypePrivate
IndustryAerospace
FoundedNovember 26, 2019 (2019-11-26)
Headquarters
Beijing
,
China

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).12 The company secured a 200 million yuan (US$27.6m) in financing in 2023.34 A collaboration with Taobao (Alibaba‘s e-commerce shopping platform) to make reusable rockets for parcel delivery was announced in March 2024.456789

History

In January 2023, the company performed hot fire tests of its rocket.1011

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 m3.985 The Yuanxingzhe 1 is designed to be reusable and capable to sea landing.12138

First flight was planned in 2025.14 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,

04:40 ET1516

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.
References

References

  1. Jones, Andrew (August 13, 2024). "Deep Blue Aerospace secures strategic funding, landmark VTVL rocket test soon".
  2. Andrew Jones (November 11, 2022). "Mini Starship? Chinese startup wants to make its own version of SpaceX Mars rocket". Space.com. Archived from the original on December 7, 2024. Retrieved October 20, 2024.
  3. Jones, Andrew (May 30, 2024). "Chinese reusable rocket maker to cooperate on new MEO constellation".
  4. "China's Taobao working with startup on deliveries by reusable rocket". Reuters. 31 March 2024.
  5. Feed, TechNode (April 2, 2024). "Alibaba to test rocket package delivery service with China's startup Space Epoch · TechNode". TechNode. Archived from the original on April 21, 2024. Retrieved October 20, 2024.
  6. "China's Taobao working with startup on deliveries by reusable rocket". The Business Times. March 31, 2024.
  7. Pollard, Jim (April 1, 2024). "China's Alibaba Trialling Deliveries Via a Reusable Rocket".
  8. "Alibaba signs to explore one-hour rocket deliveries • The Register". Archived from the original on 2024-08-04. Retrieved 2024-10-20.
  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. Archived from the original on July 1, 2025. Retrieved October 20, 2024.
  10. Jones, Andrew (January 19, 2023). "Chinese startups conduct hot fire tests for mini version of SpaceX's Starship". Archived from the original on February 23, 2024. Retrieved October 20, 2024.
  11. "China begins testing 'mini Starship' rocket engine - AeroTime". www.aerotime.aero. January 20, 2023.
  12. Choudhary, Govind (6 April 2024). "Weekly Tech Recap: OnePlus Nord CE4 5G launch, Apple vulnerabilities, and more". mint. Archived from the original on 10 August 2024. Retrieved 20 October 2024.
  13. Livemint (6 April 2024). "One-hour 'rocket' delivery worldwide if Alibaba has its way". mint. Archived from the original on 10 August 2024. Retrieved 20 October 2024.
  14. Martin Smith (5 February 2026). "Despite initial setbacks, Chinese spaceflight expected to see exciting 2026". Archived from the original on 15 February 2026. Retrieved 14 February 2026.
  15. Jones, Andrew (2025-05-29). "Chinese launch startup conducts vertical takeoff and splashdown test". SpaceNews. Retrieved 2025-05-30.
  16. Baptista, Eduardo (2025-05-29). "China's Space Epoch conducts key test for reusable rocket ambitions". Reuters. Archived from the original on 2025-05-29. Retrieved 2025-05-30.