How the world reacted to Elon Musk's Falcon Heavy launch
- Published
SpaceX launches world's most powerful rocket
Tuesday's launch of the world's most powerful rocket - the Falcon Heavy - has garnered plenty of reaction, from awe to some gentle ribbing.
The behemoth lifted off successfully from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida.
The vehicle was designed by US company SpaceX, and can put up to a maximum of 64 tonnes in low-Earth orbit.
SpaceX CEO and chief designer, Elon Musk, says this is more than double that of the world's next most powerful rocket, the Delta IV Heavy.
The launch generated a huge amount of interest online, and Mr Musk shared regular updates with his 18.9m followers.
Allow X content?
This article contains content provided by X. We ask for your permission before anything is loaded, as they may be using cookies and other technologies. You may want to read X’s cookie policy, external and privacy policy, external before accepting. To view this content choose ‘accept and continue’.
Social media users waited with anticipation as the scheduled launch time approached.
Some counted down as the rocket readied its 27 engines and three boosters and prepared to blast off from Cape Canaveral.
Allow X content?
This article contains content provided by X. We ask for your permission before anything is loaded, as they may be using cookies and other technologies. You may want to read X’s cookie policy, external and privacy policy, external before accepting. To view this content choose ‘accept and continue’.
Allow X content?
This article contains content provided by X. We ask for your permission before anything is loaded, as they may be using cookies and other technologies. You may want to read X’s cookie policy, external and privacy policy, external before accepting. To view this content choose ‘accept and continue’.
Allow X content?
This article contains content provided by X. We ask for your permission before anything is loaded, as they may be using cookies and other technologies. You may want to read X’s cookie policy, external and privacy policy, external before accepting. To view this content choose ‘accept and continue’.
Mr Musk said the challenges of developing the new rocket meant the chances of a successful first outing might be only 50-50.
But the 70m vehicle lifted clear of its pad without incident to soar high over the Atlantic Ocean.
Allow X content?
This article contains content provided by X. We ask for your permission before anything is loaded, as they may be using cookies and other technologies. You may want to read X’s cookie policy, external and privacy policy, external before accepting. To view this content choose ‘accept and continue’.
Some spectators were lucky enough to witness the launch up close. At Cocoa Beach, crowds gathered for a prime view.
Allow X content?
This article contains content provided by X. We ask for your permission before anything is loaded, as they may be using cookies and other technologies. You may want to read X’s cookie policy, external and privacy policy, external before accepting. To view this content choose ‘accept and continue’.
Spectators at Cocoa Beach in Florida watch the Falcon Heavy rocket launch
Many people were surprised at what the Falcon Heavy was taking into space.
There were no astronauts or satellites on this flight. Instead, Mr Musk decided to send his old cherry-red Tesla sports car with a space-suited mannequin strapped in the driver's seat.
The radio was also set to play a David Bowie soundtrack on a loop.
Allow X content?
This article contains content provided by X. We ask for your permission before anything is loaded, as they may be using cookies and other technologies. You may want to read X’s cookie policy, external and privacy policy, external before accepting. To view this content choose ‘accept and continue’.
The car has been sent into an elliptical orbit that reaches out as far as the Planet Mars
There were jokes aplenty about the orbiting roadster.
Allow X content?
This article contains content provided by X. We ask for your permission before anything is loaded, as they may be using cookies and other technologies. You may want to read X’s cookie policy, external and privacy policy, external before accepting. To view this content choose ‘accept and continue’.
Allow X content?
This article contains content provided by X. We ask for your permission before anything is loaded, as they may be using cookies and other technologies. You may want to read X’s cookie policy, external and privacy policy, external before accepting. To view this content choose ‘accept and continue’.
Allow X content?
This article contains content provided by X. We ask for your permission before anything is loaded, as they may be using cookies and other technologies. You may want to read X’s cookie policy, external and privacy policy, external before accepting. To view this content choose ‘accept and continue’.
One teacher posted this image of her students reacting excitedly to the launch.
"Thanks Elon Musk for inspiring the next generation," she wrote.
Allow X content?
This article contains content provided by X. We ask for your permission before anything is loaded, as they may be using cookies and other technologies. You may want to read X’s cookie policy, external and privacy policy, external before accepting. To view this content choose ‘accept and continue’.
You might also be interested in
Mr Musk shared an image from inside the car on Instagram.
He revealed that it had "Made on Earth by humans" printed on its circuit board.
Allow Instagram content?
This article contains content provided by Instagram. We ask for your permission before anything is loaded, as they may be using cookies and other technologies. You may want to read Meta’s Instagram cookie policy, external and privacy policy, external before accepting. To view this content choose ‘accept and continue’.
"That was epic," Mr Musk told reporters after the launch. Many people on social media seemed to agree.
What an amazing thing to see," one user wrote. Others described it as "stunning" and hailed the "amazing feat of science".
Allow X content?
This article contains content provided by X. We ask for your permission before anything is loaded, as they may be using cookies and other technologies. You may want to read X’s cookie policy, external and privacy policy, external before accepting. To view this content choose ‘accept and continue’.
Allow X content?
This article contains content provided by X. We ask for your permission before anything is loaded, as they may be using cookies and other technologies. You may want to read X’s cookie policy, external and privacy policy, external before accepting. To view this content choose ‘accept and continue’.
- Published7 February 2018
- Published24 January 2018
