His development program was comprehensive, with static test vehicles, a low-altitude hopper, and extensive testing of the key technology: thrust-vector control.

A video still from a thrust vector control test of the Teprel-B engine PLD Space is developing for its suborbital Mirua 1 rocket. Credit: PLD Space via YouTube.

Aside from the fireworks, the test allowed engineers to put a new motor ignition system, materials, and an electronic thrust vector control system through their paces, and to gather data from 300 ...