Multi-Angle: Grasshopper 12-Story Test Flight 12/17/12

SpaceX's Grasshopper takes a 12-story leap towards full and rapid rocket reusability in a test flight conducted December 17, 2012 at SpaceX's rocket development facility in McGregor, Texas. Grasshopper, a vertical takeoff and landing vehicle (VTVL), rose 131 feet (40 meters), hovered and landed safely on the pad using closed loop thrust vector and throttle control. The total test duration was 29 seconds. Grasshopper stands 10 stories tall and consists of a Falcon 9 rocket first stage, Merlin 1D engine, four steel landing legs with hydraulic dampers, and a steel support structure.

• Category

  Science & Technology

[mrplease66]

you are dumber than the night is dark.

[Erik Rahtjen]

The only thing that will convince people like you that things like this are happening would be by strapping you to the side. Only as you passed the armstrong line would you finally admit to yourself that yes people can go to space and build amazing things. Plus, it would get you off my planet.

[bboschboi]

When do you think nasa is going to do it? 15-20 years from now if we're lucky?

Elon Musk said himself that if things go well and as planned that he could get a man on mars within 10ish years, I wouldn't doubt it, we have no reason to distrust Elon as far as I can tell.

[TheComputerDerp]

@erik li: -Face Palm-

[Erik Li]

872 people are working with NASA

[Uzamaki703]

thats were they plan to embark on the longer trips via space station or the hypothetical moon base they r planning

[Bart Willemsen]

Nah, they currently don't have the money for that.. Also not even a rocket which is capable of doing such a long trip. Their current rockets are designed for flights to low earth orbit only.

[kuba bobel]

i think spacex will be faster on mars than nasa :)

[OOchriOO]

haha amazing

[CentiZen]

Well, probably because thrust vectoring was nowhere near good enough at that time to even attempt balancing a rocket this well.

[CentiZen]

Genius. Ever heard of thrust vectoring?

[abighairywoman]

the latest test, the burning ring of fire video, just got a million views in the last couple days