The water below reflects the rocket's light, and the atmosphere appears serene despite the powerful landing burn." decoding="async" fetchpriority="high" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/spacenews.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Sepoch-Hiker1-test-article-VTsplashdown-test-May2025.jpg?w=1340&quality=89&ssl=1 1340w, https://i0.wp.com/spacenews.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Sepoch-Hiker1-test-article-VTsplashdown-test-May2025.jpg?resize=300%2C168&quality=89&ssl=1 300w, https://i0.wp.com/spacenews.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Sepoch-Hiker1-test-article-VTsplashdown-test-May2025.jpg?resize=1024%2C575&quality=89&ssl=1 1024w, https://i0.wp.com/spacenews.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Sepoch-Hiker1-test-article-VTsplashdown-test-May2025.jpg?resize=768%2C431&quality=89&ssl=1 768w, https://i0.wp.com/spacenews.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Sepoch-Hiker1-test-article-VTsplashdown-test-May2025.jpg?resize=1200%2C673&quality=89&ssl=1 1200w, https://i0.wp.com/spacenews.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Sepoch-Hiker1-test-article-VTsplashdown-test-May2025.jpg?resize=780%2C438&quality=89&ssl=1 780w, https://i0.wp.com/spacenews.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Sepoch-Hiker1-test-article-VTsplashdown-test-May2025.jpg?resize=400%2C224&quality=89&ssl=1 400w, https://i0.wp.com/spacenews.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Sepoch-Hiker1-test-article-VTsplashdown-test-May2025.jpg?resize=706%2C396&quality=89&ssl=1 706w, https://i0.wp.com/spacenews.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Sepoch-Hiker1-test-article-VTsplashdown-test-May2025.jpg?fit=1024%2C575&quality=89&ssl=1&w=370 370w" sizes="(max-width: 34.9rem) calc(100vw - 2rem), (max-width: 53rem) calc(8 * (100vw / 12)), (min-width: 53rem) calc(6 * (100vw / 12)), 100vw">
Chinese rocket maker Sepoch has carried out a first vertical liftoff and splashdown landing ahead of a potential orbital launch attempt later this year.
