That car, ethereum:0x12419a0427c2a27a61c1cb4a49f5fad24fd4e671 , is now in solar orbit, flying around the Sun on a trajectory that ranges between Earth and Mars. It has already traveled billions of kilometers and will drift through space for millions of years
Background of its creation: On February 6, 2018, during the first launch of SpaceX's Falcon Heavy rocket, Elon did not use ordinary concrete blocks as a mass simulator. Instead, he sent his own former commuter car, a Tesla Roadster, into space, with a mannequin dressed in a SpaceX spacesuit named "Starman" in the driver's seat
The significance of this for Elon is profound:
Demonstrating Falcon Heavy's reliability: This was a test flight, and valuable satellites could not be used. Elon chose this bold method of "my car + a mannequin," which solved the mass simulation problem while greatly reducing the risk of failure. The mission was a major success, proving the viability of reusable heavy-lift rockets, paving the way for Starship and Mars colonization plans, and allowing ordinary people to feel the romance and coolness of space exploration
Symbolizing the multiplanetary species vision: Elon's core mission is to make humanity a multiplanetary species, reducing the risk of a single point of failure on Earth. Starman is not simply "a car thrown into space." It is a declaration to the universe of humanity's existence: "Look, we are here!" He once said that he hopes if aliens find this car in the future, they will think humans are cool
In simple terms, Starman is a perfect symbol of his personal vision, brand marketing, and space dreams. This romantic act of dedicating his personal property to space blends the dual dreams of Tesla and SpaceX. Starman is like Elon's "space avatar," representing his optimism and spirit of adventure for the future
https://t.co/VpaaHC0FJn
This is not the asteroid you’re looking for 🚗
Starman launched seven years ago today on Falcon Heavy’s first mission and recently cruised back by Earth in late January