A private Chinese aerospace company has taken a significant leap in commercial space logistics, successfully testing the delivery of packages from e-commerce giant Taobao using a reusable rocket that was later recovered from the sea. This innovative trial paves the way for a future where intercontinental deliveries could shrink from days to mere minutes.
Beijing-based startup SEPOCH announced its successful inaugural "rocket delivery" experiment on May 29. Its XZY-1 verification rocket carried over 20 kilograms of packages during a test flight off China's eastern coast. The 26.8-meter stainless steel rocket, weighing 57 metric tons, ascended to an altitude of 2.5 kilometers in a 125-second flight before executing a precise vertical landing on the sea surface near Shandong Province.
Following an 18-hour recovery operation, SEPOCH confirmed the rocket was retrieved intact and returned to their facility in "excellent condition."
"Package delivered, please check!" messaged SEPOCH founder Wei Yi to friends immediately after the test, highlighting the success. He added that "the experimental parameters show that the express delivery warehouse meets the expected standards in fire resistance, moisture resistance and shock absorption." The rocket's cargo bay, boasting a voluminous 120 cubic meters, is designed to accommodate up to 10 metric tons of goods, theoretically capable of transporting even cars and small trucks.
The experimental cargo in this landmark launch included items from two Taobao marketplace stores, notably products from the National Library's official flagship store, alongside commemorative postcards created specifically for the test flight.
This collaboration with Alibaba's Taobao signifies China's active exploration into the nascent field of point-to-point rocket transport, a technology with the potential to revolutionize global logistics. While acknowledging that current costs remain too high for everyday consumer deliveries, Wei Yi projects initial applications to focus on critical needs such as emergency deliveries, disaster relief, and supplying remote areas.
"With the routine use of reusable rockets and the engineering application of stainless steel, rocket delivery costs are expected to drop significantly," Wei stated confidently.
Aerospace expert Cao Meng echoed the long-term potential, envisioning a future of true global "flash delivery" through rocket transport. However, Cao cautioned that extensive further testing is required to verify the reusable rocket's recovery technology, as well as the rocket body's strength and durability over repeated uses.
SEPOCH's post-recovery inspection of the XZY-1 stainless steel rocket revealed no signs of damage or leakage, with engines and electrical components in the tail compartment remaining in good condition. The company is now setting its sights on implementing its first orbital flight and recovery mission by the end of 2025. This rocket is engineered to deliver 7 metric tons of goods to a 1,100-kilometer orbit, utilizing liquid oxygen and methane propulsion.
Looking ahead, SEPOCH plans to optimize the rocket's delivery warehouse layout to expand the range of transportable goods, including fresh produce and fragile items. They also intend to develop an escape system to further ensure cargo safety during future missions. The story is from Xinhua.