Transform the information from this text into a conversation between a space enthusiast and a skeptical friend.

A Chinese launch company has stepped up its quest to develop reusable rockets with sea platform landing tests using a small demonstrator.

The tests — which launch and land a jet engine-powered rocket prototype to test guidance, navigation and control systems, software and communications — are being conducted by CAS Space, a spinoff from the state-owned Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS).

A video released by the firm shows a 6.9-foot-tall (2.1 meters), 205-pound (93 kilograms) prototype lifting off from a vessel at sea off the coast of Haiyang in eastern China's Shandong Province.

The prototype reached an altitude of around 3,280 feet (1,000 m) before touching back down on the sea platform. The test flight depicted in the video took around 10 minutes, according to CAS Space.

The company has been carrying out such tests during the first few months of 2023, according to a press statement on April 4. 

Landing the first stage of a rocket on a sea platform instead of back on terra firma closer to the launch site is expected to save a significant amount of fuel, and hence reduce the amount of payload-carrying capacity lost by a rocket in reusable configuration. 

SpaceX already employs this strategy, commonly bringing the first stages of its Falcon 9 and Falcon Heavy rockets down on "drone ships" stationed at sea several hundred miles from their launch sites.

CAS Space aims to launch its own reusable orbital rockets in the future, as well as a suborbital rocket for space tourism, in a similar fashion to U.S. firm Blue Origin and its New Shepard.

A CAS Space engineer told Chinese state media outlet Global Times that the firm might hold a first test flight of a near-space scientific experiment platform as early as the end of 2023.
"You know, this Chinese company, CAS Space, is doing some ground-breaking work on reusable rockets," said the Space Enthusiast.

Skeptical Friend: "CAS Space? Never heard of them before.

It's a spinoff from the Chinese Academy of Sciences, says Space Enthusiast. They have been conducting testing by launching and landing a little jet-powered prototype. The purpose is to test things like communications, software, guidance, navigation, and control systems.

Skeptical Friend: "That sounds dangerous. Is it secure?

"They are being cautious, yes," said the Space Enthusiast. A video showing a test launch of a 6.9-foot-tall, 205-pound prototype from a ship off the coast of Haiyang in Shandong Province, eastern China, was made public.

"That's pretty small, but how high did it go?" asked the Skeptical Friend.

According to Space Enthusiast, the prototype rose to a height of about 3,280 feet before returning to the sea platform. The entire flight lasted for almost 10 minutes.

Skeptical Friend: "Hmm. But why are they acting in this manner at sea?

Space Enthusiast: "Well, it saves a lot of fuel to put the first stage of a rocket on a marine platform rather than back on land. The rocket's ability to carry more payload won't be reduced as much in this way. This method is already employed by SpaceX with its Falcon 9 and Falcon Heavy rockets.

"So, what's the end goal for CAS Space?" asked the Skeptical Friend.

They aim to launch their reusable orbital rockets, just like SpaceX, according to Space Enthusiast. Even a suborbital rocket for space tourism is in the works, somewhat akin to what Blue Origin is creating with its New Shepard.

Skeptical Friend: "Space travel, huh? When they're prepared, perhaps I'll make travel plans.

"You might not have to wait for too long," said the Space Enthusiast. According to what I've read, a test flight for a platform for close-to-space scientific experiments is scheduled for the end of 2023.