Tesla Roadster's Journey to Mars: An Incredible Space Odyssey

Introduction

Two and a half years ago, Elon Musk launched the first-generation Tesla Roadster into orbit on a Falcon Heavy rocket. This publicity stunt faced harsh criticism. Today, Musk celebrates as photos of his Roadster are captured within 0.05 astronomical units of the Red Planet.

SpaceX's Confirmation

SpaceX, an American aerospace manufacturer and space transportation services company founded by Elon Musk in 2002, confirmed that the Roadster and Starman (the passenger wearing a prototype of SpaceX’s spacesuit) had a close encounter with Mars.

Tracking the Roadster

A website known as Where is Roadster tracks the live positioning of the Tesla Roadster and Starman, revealing that they were 129 million miles from the Sun and moving towards it at a speed of 13,367 miles per hour (21,947 km per hour). Although the condition of the car remains to be seen, it is great to see that the Roadster is continuing its orbit.