The Missed Opportunity: Why SpaceX Chose the Roadster Over Something Useful for the Falcon Heavy

When SpaceX launched its Falcon Heavy rocket for the first time in February 2018, it carried an unusual payload: a cherry-red Tesla Roadster with a mannequin named “Starman” at the wheel. This decision sparked a flurry of questions, with many wondering why SpaceX didn’t opt to send something more useful into space. To understand this decision, it’s important to delve into the context, purpose, and implications of this unique choice.

Understanding the Purpose of the Falcon Heavy Launch

The Falcon Heavy launch was a test flight, and as such, it carried a risk of failure. SpaceX CEO Elon Musk himself estimated the chances of success at around 50-50. In such a scenario, it would have been imprudent to risk valuable scientific equipment or commercial satellites. Instead, SpaceX needed a dummy payload – something to simulate the weight of a real payload without the associated cost or risk.

Why the Roadster?

Elon Musk, who is also the CEO of Tesla, decided to use one of his company’s electric cars as the dummy payload. This decision was not just a whimsical choice or a publicity stunt. It served a practical purpose: the Roadster is roughly the same size and weight as many of the commercial satellites SpaceX hopes to launch with the Falcon Heavy in the future. Thus, it provided a realistic test of the rocket’s capabilities.

The Symbolism of the Roadster

While the Roadster served a practical purpose, it also carried symbolic significance. By sending a car into space, Musk aimed to inspire the public and generate excitement about space exploration. The images of Starman and the Roadster against the backdrop of Earth captivated people around the world and brought widespread attention to SpaceX and its goals.

The Missed Opportunity

Despite these reasons, some critics argue that SpaceX missed an opportunity by not sending something more useful into space. They suggest that the company could have sent scientific instruments to gather data, or even small satellites that could have been deployed into orbit.

However, it’s important to remember that the primary goal of the Falcon Heavy launch was to test the rocket’s capabilities, not to accomplish a scientific or commercial mission. Given the high risk of failure, it would have been a gamble to send valuable equipment or payloads.

Conclusion

In conclusion, while the choice of the Roadster as the Falcon Heavy’s payload may have seemed unusual, it was a calculated decision that served both practical and symbolic purposes. It allowed SpaceX to test the rocket’s capabilities without risking valuable equipment, while also generating public excitement about space exploration. Despite the criticisms, it’s clear that the Roadster was far from a “missed opportunity”.