09 FEB

Launching Elon Musk’s car toward Mars was a backup plan — here’s what SpaceX actually wanted to do with Falcon Heavy’s first flight

Dave Mosher/Business Insider

SpaceX launched its powerful Falcon Heavy rocket for the first time on Tuesday.
The test payload was Musk’s own Tesla Roadster, fitted with cameras and a dummy wearing a SpaceX space suit.
But SpaceX reportedly offered NASA and the Air Force a chance to put a payload on the rocket at no cost before deciding to launch the car.

SpaceX on Tuesday launched Falcon Heavy, the most powerful operational rocket in the world, for the first time.

The payload on top was a red Tesla Roadster owned by company founder Elon Musk. His electric car (and some cleverly placed trinkets) is now in space, helmed by a spacesuit-clad dummy named “Starman” in the driver’s seat .

See the rest of the story at Business Insider

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