Chinese startup builds rockets for global express delivery

Express delivery by rocket will likely be a popular and widely used method in the near future .

Space Epoch , a startup based in Beijing, China, is planning to cooperate with Alibaba's online shopping platform Taobao, for express delivery via rockets.

The Chinese startup revealed its ambition to dominate the express delivery industry through the use of rockets. (Photo: Getty).

In an announcement released on March 31, Space Epoch said this project is in the initial testing phase. They aim to develop a reusable rocket that can carry up to 10 tons of cargo in a 120 cubic meter container.

It's no wonder that Space Epoch is jokingly called "China's SpaceX" . The startup recently conducted a series of tests related to the development of a reusable, stainless steel rocket, heavily inspired by SpaceX's Starship system.

Previously last year, the Yuanxing-1 rocket built by Space Epoch completed takeoff and recovery tests offshore.

The company emphasized that it will carry out rocket launch tests in the near future, but still noted that achieving the goal will not be easy in the short term.

Space Epoch said it raised 200 million yuan (equivalent to 686.5 billion VND) in its third funding round last November.

Chinese President Xi Jinping recently called for the expansion of strategic industries, including the commercial space sector. This is considered the key to building groups of communication, remote sensing and navigation satellites.

Last year, China had a total of 17 commercial rocket launches (1 failed) recorded out of 67 orbital launches. This is a record number, nearly doubling the 10 commercial launches in 2022 (2 failures).