Aug 15, 2013 03:14 PM EDT
SpaceX’s Grasshopper Rocket Successfully Completes Lateral Divert Test (VIDEO)

SpaceX's Grasshopper successfully pulled off a divert test this week according to a company spokesman.

The 10-story rocket flew at an altitude of 820.2 feet and was able to make a 328 foot lateral maneuver before flying back to the center of the launch pad.

The company said that the test was completed to prove that the Grasshopper, officially known as the Falcon 9, could "perform more aggressive steering maneuvers than have been attempted in previous flights."

SpaceX is the first commercial company to successfully dock a spacecraft at the International Space Station.

"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," SpaceX officials said according to SPACE.com.

The Grasshopper is a part of a new launch system built around "completely reusable rocket vehicles" according to Musk. With the project, the company is hoping to make spaceflight more efficient and cheaper.

The company is led by billionaire CEO Elon Musk, also known for his work with Tesla and for coming up with the design for the "Hyperloop" which could become the fifth form of transportation if ever completed.

Back in June, the Grasshopper made its highest flight so far, reaching 1,066 feet before coming back down to its launch pad.


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