Private Chinese company iSpace has conducted the first successful test of the Hyperbola-2 reusable rocket. The first stage of the returning rocket rose to a height of 178.4 m and slowly descended to the ground with an accuracy of 1.7 m. Successful technological solutions will lead to the creation of a larger, reusable Hyperbola-3 rocket within two years, which will allow a private Chinese company, SpaceX will create its own Falcon Heavy analogue.

The Hyperbola-2 rocket runs on liquid fuel: methane and oxygen. It has two stages. The total length of the rocket will be 28 m. The iSpace company currently operates a small hyperbola-1 launch vehicle powered by solid fuel. It was once the first private company to launch a commercial satellite in China.

The Hyperbola-3 rocket, planned to fly in 2025, will be offered in three configurations. The most powerful of these will be able to launch up to 8.5 tons of payload into low Earth orbit with two boosters.

The Hyperbola-2 rocket, tested by jump yesterday, will be able to deliver up to 1.9 tons of cargo to the NGO. But most importantly, it became a kind of training ground for technologies from engines to descent control systems for a heavier rocket.