Posted on 12/27/2017 8:11:09 AM PST by Simon Green
As we previously reported, Elon Musk wants to send a Tesla Roadster in space with the maiden launch of his Falcon Heavy rocket. Now we have the pictures to prove it.
Elon Musk's SpaceX company is currently on a roll. Launch after launch, it manages to make space cargo hauling while retrieving and reusing the rockets as something mundane. Perhaps this is why he decided to launch at night, just to remind people how spectacular rocket launches actually are.
But the upcoming Falcon Heavy is another kind of a beast. It's three times more powerful and most likely will be the one that sends the first humans to Mars. For the time being, Musk will settle with sending a Tesla Roadster in space, which, by the way, would be just a fraction of the rocket's 63.8 metric tons capacity.
Test flights of new rockets usually contain mass simulators in the form of concrete or steel blocks. That seemed extremely boring. Of course, anything boring is terrible, especially companies, so we decided to send something unusual, something that made us feel. The payload will be an original Tesla Roadster, playing Space Oddity, on a billion year elliptic Mars orbit. Elon Musk, SpaceX CEO
I would like Elon Musk to demonstrate that he can come up with and run a viable business that doesn’t require a government subsidy!
One billion year orbit? Is he shooting it to Alpha Centauri first?
This is just God’s way of saying “You have too much money.”.
Musk’s biggest engineering breakthrough has been removing the smokestack from the coal-fired automobile.
I think he already did that with Paypal.
I could put that roadster to better use than sending it to the sun. I’ll even give him my Ford Focus in return.......
Sounds like a plan. Strap him in and let her rip!
“Musk’s biggest engineering breakthrough has been removing the smokestack from the coal-fired automobile.”
Except it’s also a “natural gas, wind, solar and nuclear power automobile”.
I always wanted a nuclear powered car... ;-)
Atomic batteries to power, Batman.
No mention of Space Precinct?
And the government subsidizes this lunatic to the tune of $4 billion and counting. It’s akin to MI7 handing over $4 billion to Dr. No.
Trump needs to cut the funds that Obama funneled to this bipolar spoiled brat.
Have to give credit to Space X and Musk.
He put togeather a great team at Space X.
They are doing some great things.
Can’t wait to see launch of Heavy Falcon.
Good luck and God Speed.
Some lucky Alien is going to get a great car.
This ain’t science or technology, it’s showbiz.
Why?
Ford Nucleon
“And the government subsidizes this lunatic to the tune of $4 billion and counting.”
And exactly how does that make him a lunatic?
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