Video: SpaceX test Grasshopper - a reusable rocket that lands vertically - Telegraph The private space engineering company tested the vertical take-off and landing vehicle prototype at their rocket development facility in McGregor, Texas last week. Grasshopper, powered by a Falcon 9 rocket and Merlin 1D engine, rose to a height of 130ft (40m) and hovered in the air before landing safely on the launch pad below, using closed loop thrust vector and throttle control. The latest effort was one giant leap for the Grasshopper compared to its previous two test flights which have seen the rocket hover at six feet and 17 feet off the ground respectively before landing. SpaceX are developing a new generation of reusable rockets that can launch, fly and land, in order to cut down on the expense of commercial space travel. US space agency Nasa have been without reusable spacecraft since their shuttle fleet were formally retired earlier this year. Further tests are planned for the new year.