Alibaba’s e-commerce platform Taobao has partnered with Chinese space startup Space Epoch to explore the possibility of one-hour delivery by rocket. The collaboration, revealed on Space Epoch’s WeChat account on Sunday, has been confirmed by Taobao despite the announcement’s proximity to April Fools’ Day.
Space Epoch’s post detailed plans to use its Yuanxingzhe 1 rocket, which features a 120m3 cargo cabin capable of carrying up to ten metric tons. The reusable craft, yet to make its maiden flight, has undergone engine testing and simulated water landing recovery.
An animation accompanying the post depicts a parcel being loaded onto the rocket, which launches and reaches space within 25 minutes, travelling from China’s east coast to the northwestern city of Urumqi. Upon landing in a silo, the cargo is unloaded onto a conveyor belt and delivered to the customer via van.
However, the feasibility of the proposed system remains questionable. Rockets typically require careful loading and days of preparation to ensure stability during flight, making the concept of on-demand parcel launches impractical with current technology.
Space Epoch also claims its rocket can transport car-sized payloads, which may be more realistic given vehicles’ known weight distribution. However, the company has not disclosed pricing details for its services.
Using SpaceX’s rideshare cost calculator as a reference, The Register estimated a fee of $4.99 million for a maximum single payload of 831kg, significantly higher than the cost of even the most exclusive cars. Insurance costs would further increase the overall expense.
The announcement has drawn comparisons to Amazon’s 2013 drone delivery initiative, which has yet to become mainstream despite initial fanfare. Drones have, however, found success in delivering emergency supplies to remote areas, suggesting a potential application for Space Epoch and Taobao’s collaboration.
Regardless of the outcome, the Chinese government is likely to welcome the partnership, as fostering a commercial space sector has been identified as a strategic and industrial priority by the Chinese Communist Party.
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