Kennedy Space Centere, Florida – SpaceX’s newest rocket, the Falcon Heavy, has launched successfully. The most powerful vehicle since the shuttle system flew high over the Atlantic Ocean, aimed to Mars, without incident. The difficult endeavor of developing a totally new rocket system meant that Falcon Heavy’s chances of success could be only 50%.
After the successful takeoff, the two side cores separated from the main vehicle and successfully landed upright at their designated landing zones, just south of Kennedy Space Center.
Named after its record-breaking carrying capacity of 64 tonnes, the Falcon Heavy is claimed by Musk to double the performance of Delta IV Heavy, the second most powerful rocket in history, but at only a third the cost.
Musk decided to have fun with this experiment, launching his own Tesla Roadster with a space suit-wearing mannequin in the driver’s seat and a David Bowie soundtrack playing in the background, doubling the launch as one of most memorable car advertisements of all time.
“That’s probably the most exciting thing I’ve ever seen, literally” commented Mr. Musk.