Chinese Reusability In Spaceflight (CRS)

Space Epoch

Fundamentalist 1 (YXZ-1)

Known in Chinese as "元行者一号" (YuanXingZhe - 1), this reusable rocket is unique with its water landing design. Therefore, it lacks landing legs but this also increases the payload capacity.

Landing at sea has 2 other advantages: Not limited to where the landing barge must be + safer overall. Taobao (the Chinese version of Amazon) is reportedly seeking to use YXZ-1 for package based delivery, It is unknown if YXZ-1 will be able to reach earth orbit or it is only designed for this seemingly useless package delivery service.

YXZ is made of stainless steel, the same as ZQ3.

Tonnage: 10 tons of cargo

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First Prototype Static Fire

On January 19, 2023, Space Epoch performed a static fire of the early YXZ 1 first stage.

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Water Drop Test

On September 21, 2023, Space Epoch conducted a water drop test to verify the water resistance of the engine bay.

Reinforces the fact that they are serious about water recovery.

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Second Prototype Static Fire

On December 5th, 2024, a prototype for YXZ-1 performed a static fire.

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Advanced VTVL Test

On May 28, 2025, Space Epoch conducted an impressive VTVL test.

Reach a maximum altitude of 2.5 km
Cutoff and relight the single engine for the landing burn
Perform a soft splashdown at sea.

The test vehicle is hardly damaged, and was successfully picked up from the ocean.

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Relight of Submerged Engine

On July 28th, 2025, Space Epoch relit the engine flown during the VTVL test. This proves the company's resolve to producing a reusable rocket with water splashdown capabilities.

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Sadly there is not much information about the YXZ 1. The goal for a water landing only rocket is very realistic to reach. Im seriously not sure about the "package based delivery system." There is no economic reason to do so, and may be just done once to flex if anything. I really hope Space Epoch will also dive (pun intended) into the satellite market. Even if they keep it as an expendable rocket for 3-5 launches it will not have much of an impact due to its design. Epoch can choose to slap on landing legs then.

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