In the past few months SpaceX’s Grasshopper has done test runs that included jaunts to 250 and 325m above ground. The rocket has been regularly sticking its landings and has even done some side-to-side manoeuvring. And now the Grasshopper has taken its biggest hop yet to 744m. Pretty slick.
A single camera follows the rocket as it gains height, reaches its peak, begins descending, and nails its landing. Grasshopper rockets are being developed for use in resupply missions to the ISS and beyond. They’ll be reusable instead of burning up in the atmosphere. A win win! At least that’s what SpaceX is hoping. [SpaceX]