SpaceX's Epic Road Trip Photos: Starman Rides a Tesla Roadster Across Space
Don't Panic!
This helpful advice is a nod to Douglas Adams' "Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy," a favorite of SpaceX founder and CEO Elon Musk. Musk also said a copy of the book was aboard the car, as well the book series' iconic towel.
Asimov in Space
In addition to Adams' "A Hitchkiker's Guide to the Galaxy," Starman's Tesla also carried Isaac Asimov's iconic "The Foundation Trilogy" book series. It was part of a data package on an Arch (pronounced "Ark"), a laser optical quartz storage device designed to survive the harsh environment of space. The book series was the original inspiration for the Arch mission.
Made on Earth
SpaceX etched this note on a circuit board inside the Roadster, just in case any aliens, or far-future humans, stumble onto the car.
A Toy Car in Space
Take another look at this photo. See anything on the dashboard? On a lark, SpaceX added a tiny Hot Wheels Tesla Roadster (complete with tiny Starman) on the dash for this flight. "It's silly and fun, but silly and fun things are important," Elon Musk said.
Engine Nozzle
An engine nozzle against the blackness of space.
Meanwhile, Back on Earth...
The Falcon Heavy's two side boosters aced their landings on land at Cape Canaveral; the central core stage narrowly missed its touchdown attempt on a ship at sea.
You Can Track Starman
Starman's orbit carries it out beyond the orbit of Mars. You can track the space mannequin and cosmic Tesla at whereisroadster.com, a website created by Ben Pearson, founder of Old Ham Media.
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