Tesla was launched into space 5 years ago: where is it now and when will it “return”

Five years ago, on February 6, 2018, SpaceX launched a Tesla Roadster into space with a mannequin dressed in a spacesuit on board.

Falcon Heavy rockets.Assuming the rigors of space didn't destroy the duo, the question becomes, where is the payload five years after launch? There is a special website that tracks where the space car may be.

In 2018, SpaceX's Falcon Heavy rocket is stillwas in development and SpaceX needed a mock payload for testing. Thus was born Starman, a spacesuited dummy that took the driver's seat in a red Tesla roadster.

SpaceX CEO Elon Musk said at the time that the company estimates the launch success rate at 50%. However, it passed without problems, and the Roadster and Starman ended up in space.

According to the whereisroadster website.com, which tracks the payload since launch, the Roadster moves in an oblong orbit. In fact, on Monday, on its fifth anniversary, it crossed the orbit of Mars, but the Red Planet was at that moment on the other side of the Sun. The car is now at a distance of 327,196,750 km, 2.187 astronomical units or 18.19 light minutes from Earth, moving at a speed of 10,595 km/h (2.94 km/s).

According to NASA, only in 2035 will the car and its passenger approach Mars, and by 2047 and 2050 it will again be close to Earth.

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