SpaceX aims to revolutionize space travel by concentrating on making it cheap, reducing launch costs 100 fold. To do this, the company wants to build practical, re-usable rockets. Their Grasshopper rocket, comprised of a sophisticated launch and landing system, is a prime example of what SpaceX is trying to accomplish. From the California-based company’s test pad near McGregor, Texas, the Grasshopper made a new record-breaking ‘hop’ after performing a half-mile (744-meter) ascent and controlled descent. The video below features the said launch and it’s nothing short of spectacular.
The Grasshopper consists of a Falcon 9 first-stage tank, Merlin 1D rocket engine, landing legs and a steel support structure.