Last Updated on June 19, 2025
China’s Space Epoch conducted a key test on May 29, 2025, for its reusable rocket ambitions. The Yuanxingzhe-1 verification rocket demonstrated VTVL capabilities successfully, intensifying the global space competition.
The rocket reached an altitude of approximately 2.5 kilometers before performing a controlled, propulsive vertical descent and soft splashdown in the Yellow Sea.
This achievement marks a pivotal moment in China’s space technology development. Read the full Reuters article.
NEW:
China has successfully tested its first reusable rocket, similar in concept to Elon Musk’s SpaceX rockets.
The rocket, developed by private aerospace company Sepoch, launched and landed without issue.@DD_Geopolitics pic.twitter.com/qC4ya9uwLG
— Megatron (@Megatron_ron) May 29, 2025
China’s Reusable Rocket Test Details and Success
The Yuanxingzhe-1 rocket lifted off from Haiyang on May 28, 2025. The test lasted 125 seconds. The rocket’s engines shut down at the peak. They reignited during descent.
Space Epoch declared the test a success. It’s a major breakthrough in liquid reusable rockets. This positions China as a contender in the global space competition. China’s ambition to develop reusable rocket technology is part of a broader strategy to advance its space capabilities.
The VTVL technique, demonstrated by the Yuanxingzhe-1, is crucial for reducing launch costs and increasing frequency, similar to SpaceX. This success enhances China’s space industry profile and supports its goal of global space leadership.
The test’s precision and control during descent highlight China’s engineering prowess, marking a new era in its space exploration. China’s advancements challenge existing leaders and inspire new strategies in the global space competition.
Reuters reports that China’s Space Epoch and other firms, such as LandSpace, aim for maiden flights of their respective reusable rockets later this year.
This development is a step towards China’s goal of establishing a competitive presence in the global space industry, potentially impacting international space dynamics.
