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 vertical takeoff and landing vehicle successfully completed a 263-foot test flight, hovering and landing accurately on its pad.
- This latest flight marked a key developmental achievement, demonstrating a thrust-to-weight ratio greater than one upon landing and doubling previous test altitudes.
- The Grasshopper program is designed to develop reusable rocket technology, aiming to significantly reduce the cost of space exploration.
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