Ladies and Gentlemen:Payload will be my midnight cherry Tesla Roadster playing Space Oddity. Destination is Mars orbit. Will be in deep space for a billion years or so if it doesn’t blow up on ascent.https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/936782477502246912
Quote from: Michael Baylor on 12/02/2017 01:48 amQuote from: mlow on 12/02/2017 01:45 amSo is S2 capable of that longevity wise, or some kind of kicker stage to get Mars orbit? Never mind the special one-off adapter, space-rating the car, wrong time of year to launch to Mars and I'm sure a plethora of other issues. As cool-factor of a launch it is, one where they don't want to risk a customer on and need to find a payload to test with. I was going to be disappointed if it was a hunk of concrete, because it would be a missed opportunity for either something "cool" or something of some value such as a test of something. So what value does launching an electric car have over say, a hunk of 'crete. And how the eff are they getting it to Mars ORBIT.The big implication of the Mars orbit is that it almost certainly rules out a second stage recovery attempt.But it was already mentioned that the upper stage for this flight is some sort of 'Frankenstein' stage. And if it is going to be going to mars orbit, then that seems to imply it would have some significant form of propulsion capable of boosting it from an eccentric earth orbit - so I wouldn't completely rule it out just yet. Also, assuming this isn't a joke, there would be significant value in practicing deep-space navigation to Mars in lieu of Red Dragon.
Quote from: mlow on 12/02/2017 01:45 amSo is S2 capable of that longevity wise, or some kind of kicker stage to get Mars orbit? Never mind the special one-off adapter, space-rating the car, wrong time of year to launch to Mars and I'm sure a plethora of other issues. As cool-factor of a launch it is, one where they don't want to risk a customer on and need to find a payload to test with. I was going to be disappointed if it was a hunk of concrete, because it would be a missed opportunity for either something "cool" or something of some value such as a test of something. So what value does launching an electric car have over say, a hunk of 'crete. And how the eff are they getting it to Mars ORBIT.The big implication of the Mars orbit is that it almost certainly rules out a second stage recovery attempt.
So is S2 capable of that longevity wise, or some kind of kicker stage to get Mars orbit? Never mind the special one-off adapter, space-rating the car, wrong time of year to launch to Mars and I'm sure a plethora of other issues. As cool-factor of a launch it is, one where they don't want to risk a customer on and need to find a payload to test with. I was going to be disappointed if it was a hunk of concrete, because it would be a missed opportunity for either something "cool" or something of some value such as a test of something. So what value does launching an electric car have over say, a hunk of 'crete. And how the eff are they getting it to Mars ORBIT.
The hard part is going from solar orbit to Mars orbit - that requires a 3 to 6 month coast and then around 1 km/s worth of delta-v.That means a spacecraft bus with power, comms, nav, and propulsion for deep space. Much more than a mass simulator.
Quote from: Michael Baylor on 12/02/2017 01:48 amThe big implication of the Mars orbit is that it almost certainly rules out a second stage recovery attempt.I'd rather have a Mars Car than S2 recovery, to be honest.Also, did anyone else think this will be GLORIOUS PR for Tesla?"Fastest car ever", "First commercial car in space", "First car in Mars orbit"
The big implication of the Mars orbit is that it almost certainly rules out a second stage recovery attempt.
I assume he means a mars transfer orbit that does not actually aim at mars. I highly doubt the falcon upper stage can loiter long enough to circularize. or are they going to stick a satellite bus on it?
Would prefer if it was a free return refurbished Dragon around the Moon. To practice for the tourist mission they are allegedly doing in 2018.
Ars was able to confirm Friday night from a company source that this is definitely a legitimate payload.
Eric Berger confirms it's not a joke: https://arstechnica.com/science/2017/12/with-bowie-playing-on-the-radio-elon-musk-plans-to-launch-his-tesla-to-mars/QuoteArs was able to confirm Friday night from a company source that this is definitely a legitimate payload.
They should use the flight to test the fairing, and with the same mindset that put the first wheel of cheese in space, under that fairing should be a Tesla roadster. The first car in space and with a reignition of the second stage, the first car in solar orbit or on an escape trajectory out of the solar system. Inside the car, cameras and a telemetry system, powered by the car's lithium ion cells, which should last while a while if low powered enough or indefinitely with solar panels on the hood, roof and rear deck lid. Imagine the marketing and PR buzz.