A Heavy jumbo rocket, developed by the flamboyant SpaceX billionaire Elon Musk, is the most powerful rocket to leave Earth since the Apollo missions, launched successfully from Florida last night. A sole 'passenger' onboard a mannequin named 'Starman' who rode to space inside a Tesla roadster.
Incredible footage has emerged from inside the car showing stunning views of our planet sailing past its windscreen as David Bowie's Life on Mars plays in the background.
Starman was meant to be on a 250-million-mile (400million km) journey to Mars' orbit, propelled by the main module, which separated from the Falcon Heavy shortly after launch.
But Musk has admitted the dummy is heading further into the solar system than planned because SpaceX overcooked one of the Falcon Heavy's powerful booster burns.
Despite Starman's failure to reach the red planet, Musk has said the 'silly and fun' mission was a success because it will 'get people excited around the world'.
Musk's main goal was achieved, in part, by the launch of the Falcon Heavy.
This was largely a success, although the central booster failed to return to Earth as planned.
He hopes the Falcon Heavy flight will open up the prospect of far cheaper space launches, which could make travel to Mars more affordable.
What could happen to this car in space?
Cosmic radiation will gradually tear the car apart over millions of years, with the Roadster's seat leather and plastics expected to fall apart in the next year provided the vehicle avoids collisions with space junk and meteors.
Incredible footage has emerged from inside the car showing stunning views of our planet sailing past its windscreen as David Bowie's Life on Mars plays in the background.
Starman was meant to be on a 250-million-mile (400million km) journey to Mars' orbit, propelled by the main module, which separated from the Falcon Heavy shortly after launch.
But Musk has admitted the dummy is heading further into the solar system than planned because SpaceX overcooked one of the Falcon Heavy's powerful booster burns.
Despite Starman's failure to reach the red planet, Musk has said the 'silly and fun' mission was a success because it will 'get people excited around the world'.
Musk's main goal was achieved, in part, by the launch of the Falcon Heavy.
This was largely a success, although the central booster failed to return to Earth as planned.
He hopes the Falcon Heavy flight will open up the prospect of far cheaper space launches, which could make travel to Mars more affordable.
What could happen to this car in space?
Cosmic radiation will gradually tear the car apart over millions of years, with the Roadster's seat leather and plastics expected to fall apart in the next year provided the vehicle avoids collisions with space junk and meteors.
