SpaceX Falcon Heavy Launches Tesla Car Into Space: Watch It All Over Again

Today we're having another look at the whole Falcon Heavy test flight from SpaceX again, in video form. This time we're watching the whole series of events jammed into a single 34-minute clip, chopped up in a way that makes the whole event as simply pleasing as possible. Don't be shocked when you find yourself unable to look away – things get real weird up in here.

Several facts were shared by SpaceX since yesterday on the launching of this rocket. This rocket was the most powerful operational rocket in the history of the world when it took off. It beat the closest competition by a factor of two.

This rocket would lift into orbit nearly 64 metric tons (141,000 lb). That's one massive amount of junk. So much, in fact, the Falcon Heavy is able to lift more than twice the payload of the next closest operational vehicle. That next-closest is the Delta IV Heavy. SpaceX said this week that the Falcon Heavy was able to lift its payload at one-third the cost of the Delta IV Heavy.

Above you'll see a second version of the liftoff and live event. I recommend starting in at around 29:32 for maximum time-to-stuff-happening ratio in full effect. Prepare to gasp when the Bowie begins. There's also an easter egg on the dashboard of the Tesla.

Also, by the way, no big deal, but – there's also a car on this ship. It's a Tesla Roadster. If you're here in time – for the next few weeks at least, we hope – you'll be able to watch a live feed from the Tesla Roadster in space. Have a peek at the live feed below, and behold the non-flatness of the Earth. Starman awaits your arrival.

The original plan was to have this vehicle orbit Mars, but... things went a tiny bit awry. Instead, it's headed toward our lovely local asteroid belt. There we can only watch, and hope and pray it gets smashed to bits like a TIE fighter chasing after the Millennium Falcon. Cross your fingers!

For more information on the launch of this mission test, have a peek at the timeline below. We've got more information on the SpaceX operation than you could possibly want to know, much less wave a stick at.