spacetoday.net: SpaceX to move Grasshopper tests to Spaceport America

SpaceX to move Grasshopper tests to Spaceport America

Posted: Thu, May 9, 2013, 7:24 AM ET (1124 GMT)
SpaceX Grasshopper on 3rd test flight, Dec 2012 (SpaceX)

SpaceX will conduct future flight tests of a reusable launch vehicle technology demonstrator at Spaceport America in New Mexico, spaceport officials announced Tuesday. SpaceX has made several test flights of Grasshopper, a modified Falcon 9 first stage designed to take off and land vertically, from its engine test facility in McGregor, Texas. Future test flights, though, will take place from Spaceport America, where SpaceX will lease a mobile mission control facility. The company said that the "physical and regulatory landscape" of Spaceport America will permit the next phase of Grasshopper flights, likely to go to higher altitudes and faster velocities than feasible from the Texas site.