US reuse missiles reach new heights

Elon Musk, the American billionaire's multi-use re-development project, has achieved a breakthrough.

>>>Video: American reusable missiles reach new heights

The owner of PayPal and SpaceX, billionaire Elon Musk, is developing the new Grasshopper rocket that can be reused many times. In the latest test, this type of missile can fly off the ground about 80m before hovering and slowly returning to the ground.

New missiles can be reused many times

'In the trial on March 7, Grasshopper rocket was about 80 meters above the ground (equivalent to a 24-storey building). It was maintained at an altitude of 80m for about 34 seconds and then slowly returned to the ground , 'said SpaceX.

This is the fourth successful test of the Grasshopper rocket . In September 2012, the missile flew off the ground 2.5m. After 2 months, it reached a height of 5.4m. By December 2012, Grasshopper rocket had risen to 40m above the ground.

SpaceX hopes that in the future, Grasshopper missiles can take the spacecraft to space and then return to the ground to use for future launches. This will significantly reduce the cost of spacecraft missions.

'Grasshopper missiles will continue to grow to achieve the goal of creating a new type of missile that can be reused many times. It will help change the future of space exploration by reducing the cost of each launch , 'said SpaceX.

The Grasshopper rocket is equivalent to a 10-story building and includes the first floor of the Falcon 9 rocket, Merlin 1D engine and 4-legged steel and aluminum landing gear with hydraulic shock absorbers.