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On Monday, October 7th, Grasshopper completed its highest leap to date, rising to 744m altitude. The view above is taken from a single camera hexacopter, getting closer to the stage than in any previous flight.
Grasshopper is a 10-story Vertical Takeoff Vertical Landing (VTVL) vehicle designed to test the technologies needed to return a rocket back to Earth intact. While most rockets are designed to burn up on atmosphere reentry, SpaceX rockets are being designed not only to withstand reentry, but also to return to the launch pad for a vertical landing.
The Grasshopper VTVL vehicle represents a critical step towards this goal. Grasshopper consists of a Falcon 9 rocket first stage tank, Merlin 1D engine, four steel and aluminum landing legs with hydraulic dampers, and a steel support structure.
mcx1942
Freaking awesome!!
This may be far from finished but it is amazing to watch! Everyday there is many new goings on all around. What a fantastic time to live in! S&F.
The landing was spot on, bulls-eye! Hands down the coolest video I have seen in a long time thanks!
PS: WE NEED TO SHOW ROCKET/SHUTTLE LAUNCHES (if we ever have shuttles again) FROM THIS VIEWPOINT, IT'S LIKE WATCHING A HOLLYWOOD MOVIE!