Five years ago, in February 2018, SpaceX launched its first test flight of the Falcon Heavy rocket, which carried a unique payload - Elon Musk's own midnight cherry-hued Tesla roadster. The goal of this test was to show how the rocket would handle delivering mass into space. The launch generated a mixed reaction from the public and scientists alike, with some enthusiastic and others worried about the potential space debris that it could create.
The Tesla roadster broke a speed record and reached a speed of approximately 26,000 miles per hour, allowing it to escape Earth's gravity and move at a faster pace than any other car, including a Tesla. The roadster is currently still orbiting the Sun about 200,000 miles away from Earth and crosses the orbits of Earth and Mars periodically.
Payload will be my midnight cherry Tesla Roadster playing Space Oddity. Destination is Mars orbit. Will be in deep space for a billion years or so if it doesn’t blow up on ascent.
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) December 2, 2017
The Falcon Heavy rocket's upper stage carries the roadster, and Elon Musk has cleverly layered in sci-fi and cultural references by including a space-suited mannikin named "Starman" in the driver's seat and playing David Bowie's "Space Oddity" on the radio. The car also contains a copy of "The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy," a towel, and a sign that reads "Don't Panic."
While the roadster is not posing any threat to Earth or Mars, it has caused some concern for the commercial space culture and space law due to the dangerous environment of space. A 2018 study published in Aerospace estimated that the car has a 22 percent chance of colliding with Earth in the next 15 million years. However, there is no imminent danger, and the roadster will only pass within the distance of the Moon from Earth in the next 100 years.
The launch of the Tesla roadster on the Falcon Heavy rocket not only served as a test payload, but also showcased the capabilities of SpaceX's heavy-lift rocket. It was a significant milestone in the company's efforts to lower the cost of spaceflight and open up new opportunities for space exploration.
The Falcon Heavy rocket has since been used for various missions, including launching satellites and sending supplies to the International Space Station. It has also been chosen by NASA for future Moon and Mars missions.
In addition, the launch of the roadster brought attention to the issue of space debris. As more companies and nations enter the space race, there is growing concern about the amount of debris in space and the potential for collisions with satellites and other spacecraft.
SpaceX has taken steps to mitigate the impact of their launches on space debris. The company has developed reusable rockets that can land back on Earth after launching, reducing the amount of debris left in orbit. They also have plans to develop a system for capturing and recycling space debris.
Overall, the launch of the SpaceX Roadster was a notable event in the history of space exploration. While it may have been seen as a publicity stunt by some, it demonstrated the possibilities of commercial spaceflight and the potential for innovative approaches to space exploration.