SpaceX Grasshopper Completes 100 Meter Lateral Divert Test | Aero-News Network
Aero-News Network
RSS icon RSS feed
podcast icon MP3 podcast
Subscribe Aero-News e-mail Newsletter Subscribe

Airborne Unlimited -- Most Recent Daily Episodes

Episode Date

Airborne-Monday

Airborne-Tuesday

Airborne-Wednesday Airborne-Thursday

Airborne-Friday

Airborne On YouTube

Airborne-Unlimited-06.03.24

Airborne-NextGen-06.04.24

Airborne-Unlimited-06.05.24 Airborne-AffordableFlyers-06.06.24

Airborne-Unlimited-06.07.24

Mon, Aug 19, 2013

SpaceX Grasshopper Completes 100 Meter Lateral Divert Test

Capability Critical For Landing Spacecraft Returning From Orbit

On August 13th, the Falcon 9 test rig (code name Grasshopper) completed a divert test, flying to a 250m altitude with a 100m lateral maneuver before returning to the center of the pad. The test demonstrated the vehicle's ability to perform more aggressive steering maneuvers than have been attempted in previous flights.

Grasshopper is taller than a ten story building, which makes the control problem particularly challenging. Diverts like this are an important part of the trajectory in order to land the rocket precisely back at the launch site after re-entering from space at hypersonic velocity.

The flight lasted just over a minute. A YouTube video posted by SpaceX shows the test vehicle lifting off from its pad, moving sideways, and then returning to the pad in a controlled, soft touchdown.

The test is part of SpaceX's program to develop a completely reusable space launch system, in which the main booster is recovered and refurbished for later launches.

(Image provided by SpaceX)

FMI: www.spacex.com

Advertisement

More News

Aero-News: Quote of the Day (06.06.24)

"To advance autonomous flight systems, our focus remains on automating pilot skills that enhance efficiency but most importantly, prioritize safety at every stage. Progressing thes>[...]

ANN's Daily Aero-Linx (06.06.24)

Aero Linx: MC-12W Liberty The MC-12W is a medium-to low-altitude, twin-engine turboprop aircraft. Its primary mission is providing intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance sup>[...]

ANN's Daily Aero-Term (06.06.24): Airport Taxi Charts

Airport Taxi Charts Designed to expedite the efficient and safe flow of ground traffic at an airport. These charts are identified by the official airport name; e.g., Ronald Reagan >[...]

NTSB Final Report: Holland Travis E Velocity

Pilot’s Failure To Engage The Turbocharger For Takeoff And His Improper Decision To Continue The Takeoff... Analysis: The owner recently purchased the experimental amateur-bu>[...]

Airborne 05.31.24: 1Q GA Sales, 200th ALTO LSA, Spitfire Grounding

Also: NATA CEO In Legal Dilemma, WestJet Encore Settle, Drone Bill H.R. 8416, USN Jet Trainer GAMA released their 1Q/24 GA Aircraft Shipment and Billing Report -- with mostly mixed>[...]

blog comments powered by Disqus



Advertisement

Advertisement

Podcasts

Advertisement

© 2007 - 2024 Web Development & Design by Pauli Systems, LC