Tesla CEO Elon Musk has launched his Tesla Roadster sports automobile into space. The car, complete with a mannequin wearing a space suit sitting behind the wheel, was positioned on top of the SpaceX Falcon heavy rocket and blasted out into the solar system at 8.45pm UK time on Tuesday 6 February. This is not a joke.
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Amazing images beamed back from cameras onboard the Tesla show the automobile gliding past the Earth, the dummy in the driver’s seat with its arm propped nonchalantly against the wind frame and the dashboard touchscreen bearing the legend ‘Don’t Panic’ – a reference to the Douglas Adams sci-fi book, Hitchhiker’s guide to the Galaxy.
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As a commercial for for Tesla and Musk’s commercial space operation SpaceX, the stunt’s value should be huge. The launch was streamed live on the SpaceX YouTube channel and footage has because been picked up by media outlets across the globe. “The imagery of it is something that’s going to get people thrilled around the world, and it’s still tripping me out,” said Musk after the launch.
In much more useful terms, the launch of the Falcon heavy rocket has been eagerly anticipated because it represents SpaceX demonstrating its ability to put heavy objects into space. “It implies we’re able to offer heavy lift… for not much much more than the cost of a Falcon 9,” he told reporters, underlining that the new rocket is a significant step forward from SpaceX’s previous vehicle. “If we’re successful in this, it is game over for all other heavy-lift rockets.”
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