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Big Rocket Blasts Off
DELIVERED TO SPACE: The Falcon Heavy delivered SpaceX CEO Elon Musk’s Tesla Roaster to outer space. Musk is also the CEO of the car manufacturer Tesla.
On February 6, one of the world’s most powerful rockets completed its maiden flight. The Falcon Heavy, built by the aerospace company SpaceX, capped off its spectacular launch by delivering an unusual payload into space: a bright-red electric sports car owned by CEO Elon Musk. The car even had a spacesuit-clad dummy in the driver’s seat.
TWO OUT OF THREE: Falcon Heavy’s two side boosters successfully landed back on Earth during the February 6 launch. The central booster missed a floating platform and crashed into the sea.
SpaceX plans to use the Falcon Heavy to carry satellites—and someday people—into space. Three boosters produce more than 5 million pounds of thrust to lift the rocket off the ground. The boosters carry the spacecraft to specific points on its trajectory (the curved path of a flying object). Then they detach and land back on Earth to be reused.
The February launch was just a test, so the Falcon Heavy didn’t carry real cargo. That’s why Musk decided to go with something fun instead. His car is now headed beyond the orbit of Mars.
Liftoff
Side boosters detach from core.
Side boosters flip over and begin descent.
Side boosters slow descent and land simultaneously.
Central booster separates from payload.
Central booster flips over and begins descent.
Booster slows descent and attempts to land on a floating platform at sea.
Payload (Tesla Roadster) continues into outer space.