SpaceX's epic road trip photos: Starman rides a Tesla roadster across space

SpaceX's Starman mannequin is taking the ultimate road trip across the final frontier in Elon Musk’s Tesla Roadster after launching into space on Feb. 6, 2018. See photos from the amazing flight here. In this image from before launch, the cherry-red Tesla Roadster inside the Falcon Heavy's cavernous payload fairing.

Another view of the space-bound car.Another view of the space-bound car.

The mannequin dubbed Starman tests out his ride before the epic launch.The mannequin dubbed Starman tests out his ride before the epic launch.

Starman's rocket ride lifts off on Feb. 6, 2018 — the first-ever flight of the Falcon Heavy. As the Falcon Heavy launched into space, SpaceX played David Bowie's Starman's rocket ride lifts off on Feb. 6, 2018 — the first-ever flight of the Falcon Heavy. As the Falcon Heavy launched into space, SpaceX played David Bowie's "Life on Mars" as appropriate road trip music.

SpaceX stunned the world when it unveiled live views of Starman and its Tesla from space. Look to your right, Starman! You won't regret it.SpaceX stunned the world when it unveiled live views of Starman and its Tesla from space. Look to your right, Starman! You won't regret it.

There you go! Starman enjoyed a view most of us can only dream about. SpaceX attached three cameras to beam live views of the Tesla from space. The video feed lasted 4 hours before its batteries ran out.There you go! Starman enjoyed a view most of us can only dream about. SpaceX attached three cameras to beam live views of the Tesla from space. The video feed lasted 4 hours before its batteries ran out.

Starman and his Roadster zooming past our planet.Starman and his Roadster zooming past our planet.

The Roadster leaves Earth in the rear-view mirror.The Roadster leaves Earth in the rear-view mirror.

Starman moves farther from home.Starman moves farther from home.

A shifting sun angle turns Earth into a bright crescent.A shifting sun angle turns Earth into a bright crescent.

Starman, meet the dark emptiness of spaceStarman, meet the dark emptiness of space

This helpful advice is a nod to Douglas Adams' 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.

In addition to Adams' 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 designe

SpaceX etched this note on a circuit board inside the Roadster, just in case any aliens, or far-future humans, stumble onto the car.SpaceX etched this note on a circuit board inside the Roadster, just in case any aliens, or far-future humans, stumble onto the car.

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. 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

An engine nozzle against the blackness of space.An engine nozzle against the blackness of space.

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.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.

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.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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By Space.com Staff

Space.com is the premier source of space exploration, innovation and astronomy news, chronicling (and celebrating) humanity's ongoing expansion across the final frontier. We transport our visitors across the solar system and beyond through accessible, comprehensive coverage of the latest news and discoveries. For us, exploring space is as much about the journey as it is the destination. So from skywatching guides and stunning photos of the night sky to rocket launches and breaking news of robotic probes visiting other planets, at Space.com you’ll find something amazing every day.

(Source: space.com; November 3, 2018; https://tinyurl.com/y8cvoug2)
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