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"SpaceX has released video footage of its Grasshopper rocket's latest test flight \u2014 and as you'll see, the reusable vehicle is reaching new heights, quite literally. \nIn the clip, the rocket soars to 1,066 feet \u2014 a record for the platform \u2014 hovers for a moment, then descends, balanced on its own exhaust, back to its launch pad for a precision landing.\nSEE ALSO: 7 Oddball Things Found on the Space Station\n\nIn December, Grasshopper shot 130 feet into the air, and then landed intact. In April, it reached 820 feet in a similar fashion. This most recent test occurred on June 14 (although the video was released July 5). Its first test, which took place in September, showed what now seems like a meager six-foot flight. \nThe rocket has proven it can successfully clear and hover at heights similar to that of Manhattan's Chrysler Building \u2014 an exponential step forward in the space transport company's move to pioneer what might best be described as space taxiing. Grasshopper is a 10-story vertical takeoff, vertical landing vehicle designed to test the technology that would be required to successfully send a rocket away from, and back to Earth. \n\nAccording to SpaceX, most rockets are designed to burn up upon atmosphere re-entry; however, SpaceX's rockets are being crafted so as to withstand re-entry, and to return to launch pads for vertical landings. \n\nSpaceX used this latest flight session to test a new sensor that keeps track of the rocket\u2019s position relative to the ground. Grasshopper is currently equipped with a Falcon 9 rocket first-stage tank, a steel support structure, four aluminum landing legs and a Merlin 1D engine (watch it in action, above). \nNext on deck, SpaceX is working on a set of retractable landing legs to replace the fixed aluminum ones that the rocket currently uses to perch. \nWatch the videos, above, to learn more; then let us know what you think about the rocket's developments in the comments.\nImage courtesy of YouTube, spacexchannel\n"^^<http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema#string>
<http://mashable.com/2013/07/08/spacex-grasshopper-hovers-lands/>