XYZ-1 Reusable Rocket Testing Sucessful By China To Beat America In Space

Sepoch's vertical launch and splashdown test:

Space-epoch's Yuanxingzhe-1 (YXZ-1) reusable rocket hovering over the sea before its splashdown on water (photo credit-Sepoch).

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Chinese Startup Sepoch Successfully Conducts Vertical Liftoff and Splashdown Test for Reusable Rocket

In a significant step toward developing reusable rocket technology, Chinese aerospace company Sepoch (also known as Beijing Jianyuan Technology Co., Ltd. or Space Epoch) has completed a successful vertical launch and splashdown test of its verification rocket, Yuanxingzhe-1 (YXZ-1). This significant achievement done at Haiyang Spaceport of Shandong state of China, on Wednesday, 28 May.

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🧪 Sepoch's Major Milestone in Reusable Rocket Development

At 4:40 p.m. Eastern (2040 UTC), the YXZ-1 rocket lifted off from an elevated steel platform at the coastal launch facility. The test vehicle soared to an altitude of around 2.5 kilometers, demonstrating a smooth vertical ascent using full-thrust propulsion.

Shortly after reaching its target height, the rocket shut down its engines, entering a phase of free descent. In a critical moment for demonstrating reusability, the engines successfully reignited mid-air, slowing the vehicle and guiding it into a controlled vertical descent. The rocket then executed a soft splashdown in the nearby ocean, marking the culmination of a highly technical and carefully orchestrated test sequence.

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🚀 Eight Phases of a Precision Flight Test

According to Sepoch, the test flight consisted of eight key stages:

1. Ignition and Liftoff

2. Full-Thrust Ascent

3. Variable Thrust Adjustment

4. Engine Shutdown

5. Free Descent

6. Engine Reignition

7. Deceleration and Hovering

8. Soft Splashdown

This successful sequence is a critical validation of Sepoch’s propulsive landing technology, similar in concept to SpaceX’s Falcon 9 boosters, which land vertically after launch.

Watch official testing video of Chinese reusable rocket XYZ-1

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🌍 Why This Test Matters for China’s Private Space Sector

Sepoch’s this sucess pushed China’s fast growth in space industry sector to competition with USA. The ability to vertically land and reuse rocket stages has major implications for reducing launch costs, improving turnaround time, and enhancing mission flexibility.

Until recently, only a few global players — including SpaceX, Blurigin, and China’s own CALT and iSpace — had demonstrated this kind of technology. Sepoch now joins a growing list of companies pushing toward next-generation launch capabilities.

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🛰️ What’s Next: Toward an Orbital Launch Attempt

Sepoch is now targeting an orbital flight test later in 2025, using insights gained from this splashdown mission. The company is positioning itself as a leader in low-cost, reusable launch solutions, with potential applications in:

• Satellite constellation deployment

• Cargo missions

• Reusable upper stage systems

• Space tourism and commercial missions

The company’s development approach is part of a broader trend in China to empower private aerospace firms, aligning with national policies to decentralize space innovation and compete globally in the commercial launch market.

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📈 Final Thoughts: A New Contender in Reusable Launch Tech

The successful vertical takeoff and splashdown of the YXZ-1 marks a turning point for Sepoch. With the foundation for reusability now proven, the path is clear for more advanced flight testing — potentially including orbital missions, propulsive landings on solid ground, and even two-stage reusable rockets.

As global interest in space access continues to rise, companies like Sepoch are helping to reshape the future of launch economics and widen access to space through innovation and agility.

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FAQ Schema 

Q1: What is Sepoch's YXZ-1 rocket?

YXZ-1 is a test vehicle developed by Sepoch to demonstrate vertical takeoff and controlled splashdown for future reusable space missions.

Q2: What makes this launch important?

It shows that China’s private sector is advancing toward reusable rocket technology, reducing launch costs and turnaround time.

Q3: Will Sepoch attempt an orbital launch?

Yes, an orbital test flight is planned for late 2025, using lessons learned from this splashdown mission.