SpaceX's Grasshopper Steers Side-to-Side in Cool New Video We've been tracking the development of SpaceX's Grasshopper rocket, a system designed to fly itself back to the platform and land following a launch, which would make it possible to use rockets again and again. A month ago the Grasshopper reached its loftiest height yet -� about 1000 feet�before landing safely. In a newly released test video, the rocket flies to nearly that high, about 820 feet. But this time SpaceX moved the rocket way from the platform by more than 300 feet, giving Grasshopper the chance to show off its lateral moves as it flies itself back to its landing spot and sets down with a gentle touch.
Vectored thrust is nothing new but quite the feat in a rocket engine.
Posted by DaveH at August 15, 2013 2:56 PM