Chinese conglomerate aims for global delivery within hours

Chinese rocket manufacturing company, Space Epoch, based in Beijing, has announced its partnership with leading Chinese e-commerce platform, Taobao, a subsidiary of Alibaba Group. Their collaboration aims to test the use of reusable rockets for fast freight delivery.

According to Space Epoch, the company plans to conduct its first rocket transportation test this year, delivering Taobao packages through the “space” route. If the project proves successful, Taobao Express, Taobao’s delivery service, is expected to achieve its goal of global delivery within hours in the future.

The initial phase of the project, undertaken by the “Space Epoch – Taobao Express Hourly Delivery Laboratory,” aims to develop a rocket capable of carrying up to 10 tons of cargo in a 120 cubic meter container. The laboratory is actively preparing for the rocket freight test, which will be launched soon.

This collaboration is expected to not only provide new development opportunities for traditional transportation but also accelerate the growth of China’s commercial aviation industry.

However, Space Epoch emphasizes that the short-term goal may not be easily achievable with the current technology and capabilities. Nevertheless, it is undoubtedly an exciting and meaningful long-term exploration.

Space Epoch, established in November 2019 and headquartered in Beijing, is a rocket manufacturing company that provides core technical support for the project. Their flagship product, the “Yuanxingzhe 1,” is a reusable stainless-steel rocket of medium and large sizes. It completed offshore tests in 2023. The previous version of the rocket was designed with a cargo cabin that could hold 120 cubic meters and transport up to 10 tons of goods.

For more information about the latest developments in finance and economics, visit Business Today.