In a thrilling showcase of innovation, a Chinese rocket startup has completed its first vertical sea recovery test. 🚀 The stainless steel rocket, standing 26.8 meters tall with a 4.2-meter diameter and weighing 57 tonnes at liftoff, embarked on a 125-second flight off the coast of Shandong Province, reaching an altitude of about 2.5 kilometers.
A video from Beijing-based firm Space Epoch captured the moment when the rocket, Yanxingzhe-1, reignited its engine during descent, hovered gracefully above the sea, and executed a soft vertical landing. Post-flight data analysis confirmed the rocket performed flawlessly, and experts hailed the sea landing as a success.
This latest achievement is part of ongoing efforts by Chinese aerospace companies to develop reusable rockets. In 2024, other milestones included VTOL tests by the Zhuque-3 and a vehicle from the Shanghai Academy of Spaceflight Technology, along with experiments by Expace Technology and i-Space in previous tests.
With such dynamic progress, the future of sustainable space travel is looking brighter than ever—just like a scene straight out of your favorite sci-fi movie! 🌟
Reference(s):
Chinese commercial rocket completes vertical sea recovery test
cgtn.com
