I don't see a problem with Grasshopper v1.1 reaching hypersonic velocities by the end of the year if she has already gone through static testing. It is just a matter launching a rocket.

These guys are amazing. In less than a year they have the single engine Grasshopper1.0 going from a 40 meter hop to 744 meters with a very accurate landing. If this is indeed the same chassis then it also demonstrated reusability of the system. I can not wait to see the progress they make with 1.1. It sounds like the 1.1 will be very much closer to an actual Falcon 9 so will provide a more realistic picture of whet landing a first stage will be like and how reusable these first stages can be.

Incredible!

Go back and review MacD's DCX flights at White Sands in the early 90s. They had very good control also w/ planned lateral excursions, etc. Very impressive, but gravity always wins hence wings & runways.

I love it when someone decides to do something and schools all the 'experts' on how it's done.
Fact is we could have done this decades ago but no one wanted to rock the gravy train of far, far more expensive rockets. That train is now about to retire!!
Remember this 1 man has done better than all but 2 countries!! And shortly will leave them in the dust too. Shows what can be done if you get rid of all the needless costs and go KIS.

However, there's no way he could be where he is at without the structural design parameters and rocket research already developed by NASA.

It's absolutely fantastic to see science, motovation, money and most importantly persistence in action! Perhaps I'm missing something in the article here but I'm presuming the intent is for the entire vehicle to reach a specific orbit, deliver its payload and return to a predetermined landing site(s). At what point on reentry does it assume landing attitude and altitude? Are small chutes in the works or used to aid in slowing and directing its descent until the reentry rockets kick in? It's not like backing down the family boat at your local boat ramp! Keep up the great work!!

Obama new what he was doing when he privatized space.

@frogola you lost all credibility when you said "Obama knew what he was doing when he privatized space". One Space is not his or any governments to give. Two Obama's stepping aside so that others will fail or succeed on their own merits is Not a triumph as it leaves him the opportunity if failure happens to say "This is why you need government to handle this!' and if it succeeds to Assume credit where none is due.

They did something like this on the Apollo 11 mission back in 1969.