On March 7 the SpaceX Grasshopper, a vertical takeoff and landing vehicle currently in development at the company’s McGregor, Texas, facility, completed a nearly 263-foot leap and hovered at that altitude for about 34 seconds before landing at the center of its launch pad. In addition to landing on its target, SpaceX said the Grasshopper’s thrust-to-weight ratio was greater than one as it returned to earth, a key developmental achievement for the vessel.
SpaceX Grasshopper Leaps Higher
Key Takeaways:
- SpaceX's Grasshopper successfully completed its fourth test flight, leaping nearly 263 feet, hovering, and landing precisely on its pad.
- This test demonstrated key developmental milestones, including a thrust-to-weight ratio greater than one upon return and significantly increasing the altitude from previous flights.
- The Grasshopper program is crucial for SpaceX's goal of developing reusable rocket technology to reduce the cost of space exploration.
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