The Saturn V remains the tallest rocket flown at 111 metres, overshadowing the 98-metre Artemis SLS. However, the Artemis rocket is the most powerful operational vehicle, generating 15 per cent more thrust. Future upgrades will eventually see the Artemis rocket grow to match the Saturn V's.

How big is the Artemis launch vehicle compared to Saturn V and Falcon Heavy?

SpaceX's Falcon Heavy, the highly secretive rocket, blasted into space carrying the US military's clandestine X-37B drone to a research mission.&nbsp;

The eagerly anticipated lift-off happened after weeks of delays. It unfolded at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida at 8:07 pm Eastern Time (0107 GMT Friday). A real-time live stream of the launch was shared on SpaceX's website.

<h2>Where is the spacecraft headed?</h2>

A veil of secrecy surrounds the uncrewed and autonomously functioning X-37B spacecraft, and it is unknown where exactly it is headed on its seventh mission.

The Pentagon has shared minimal insights into the spacecraft and its latest endeavours. Initially, it was scheduled for launch on December 7.&nbsp;

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In&nbsp;its statement, SpaceX only referred to it by the Pentagon's mission code name — USSF-52, and said "Falcon Heavy launched the USSF-52 mission to orbit from Launch Complex 39A."

<h2>What do we know about the heavily secret mission?</h2>

While the Pentagon remains tight-lipped about the specifics, it did disclose that the X-37B's seventh mission involves "multiple cutting-edge experiments."&nbsp;

Last month, the US Department of the Air Force Rapid Capabilities Office in a statement said: "These tests include operating the reusable spaceplane in new orbital regimes, experimenting with future space domain awareness technologies, and investigating the radiation effects on materials provided by NASA."

Significantly, this marks the first time the X-37B has hitched a ride on the Falcon Heavy, renowned as one of the most powerful operational rockets, capable of ferrying payloads up to 26,700 kilogrammes (around 58,900 pounds) into the depths of space.

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As per AFP, the X-37B US space drone resembles a downsized version of the now-retired manned space shuttles and has dimensions akin to a small bus. With a length of 30 feet (nine meters) and a wingspan of 15 feet (4.57 m), it harnesses solar panels for propulsion. Previous missions of the X-37B have involved conducting tests for NASA, including an exploration of the impact of radiation on seeds and other materials.

The Falcon Heavy's launch comes just two weeks after China deployed its enigmatic robotic space plane, Shenlong on December 14.&nbsp;

According to China's state news agency, Xinhua, "During this period, reusable technology verification and space science experiments will be carried out as planned to provide technical support for the peaceful use of space."

(With inputs from agencies)

SpaceX's Falcon Heavy, the highly secretive rocket, blasted into space carrying the US military's clandestine X-37B drone to a research mission. The eagerly anticipated lift-off happened after weeks of delays.

SpaceX's Falcon Heavy, the highly secretive rocket, blasted into space carrying the US military's clandestine X-37B drone to a research mission. The eagerly anticipated lift-off happened after weeks of delays. It unfolded at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida at 8:07 pm Eastern Time (0107 GMT Friday). A real-time live stream of the launch was shared on SpaceX's website. Where is the spacecraft headed? A veil of secrecy surrounds the uncrewed and autonomously functioning X-37B spacecraft, and it is unknown where exactly it is headed on its seventh mission. The Pentagon has shared minimal insights into the spacecraft and its latest endeavours. Initially, it was scheduled for launch on December 7. Also read | Rewind 2023: Moments this year that seemed straight out of science fiction In its statement, SpaceX only referred to it by the Pentagon's mission code name — USSF-52, and said "Falcon Heavy launched the USSF-52 mission to orbit from Launch Complex 39A." What do we know about the heavily secret mission? While the Pentagon remains tight-lipped about the specifics, it did disclose that the X-37B's seventh mission involves "multiple cutting-edge experiments." Last month, the US Department of the Air Force Rapid Capabilities Office in a statement said: "These tests include operating the reusable spaceplane in new orbital regimes, experimenting with future space domain awareness technologies, and investigating the radiation effects on materials provided by NASA." Significantly, this marks the first time the X-37B has hitched a ride on the Falcon Heavy, renowned as one of the most powerful operational rockets, capable of ferrying payloads up to 26,700 kilogrammes (around 58,900 pounds) into the depths of space. Also read | ISRO’s New Year’s gift: XPoSat will lift-off on January 1, will study black holes As per AFP, the X-37B US space drone resembles a downsized version of the now-retired manned space shuttles and has dimensions akin to a small bus. With a length of 30 feet (nine meters) and a wingspan of 15 feet (4.57 m), it harnesses solar panels for propulsion. Previous missions of the X-37B have involved conducting tests for NASA, including an exploration of the impact of radiation on seeds and other materials. The Falcon Heavy's launch comes just two weeks after China deployed its enigmatic robotic space plane, Shenlong on December 14. According to China's state news agency, Xinhua, "During this period, reusable technology verification and space science experiments will be carried out as planned to provide technical support for the peaceful use of space." (With inputs from agencies)

SpaceX's Falcon Heavy spacecraft takes off with highly secretive US military drone

SpaceX has scheduled the launch date for the secret United States military's X-37B robotic space plane on its seventh orbital mission. The launch is set for December 28, as announced by SpaceX on Friday (Dec 15). The Falcon Heavy rocket will carry the X-37B, designated USSF-52, from Florida. The initial launch plan on a Sunday (Dec 17) was canceled due to adverse weather conditions at Cape Canaveral.

The X-37B, an unmanned space test platform for the US Air Force, specialises in conducting experiments and testing diverse technologies in space. The nature of the experiments remains classified, sparking speculation about potential military applications. This mission marks the seventh for the X-37B, and it will be the first time it launches atop a Falcon Heavy, known for its reusability.

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Similar to the Space Shuttle concept, the X-37B can autonomously return to Earth after completing a mission, enabling preparations for subsequent launches. The compact design, roughly the size of a small bus, allows for easy maneuverability and accommodates various payloads for experimentation.

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The X-37B's reusability and long-duration orbital flights have been key features since its first mission in 2010. The latest mission, undisclosed in terms of altitude by the Pentagon, will involve testing new orbital regimes and experimenting with future space domain awareness technologies, according to a statement from the Air Force Rapid Capabilities Office, media reports said.

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The X-37B will also carry a NASA experiment to study the effects of long-term radiation exposure on plant seeds in space.

While the duration of the spaceplane's mission has not been disclosed by the military, it is expected to follow the trend of successively longer flights, potentially remaining in orbit until June 2026 or later.

(With inputs from agencies)

SpaceX has scheduled the launch date for the secret United States military's X-37B robotic space plane on its seventh orbital mission. The launch is set for December 28, as announced by SpaceX on Friday (Dec 15).

SpaceX has scheduled the launch date for the secret United States military's X-37B robotic space plane on its seventh orbital mission. The launch is set for December 28, as announced by SpaceX on Friday (Dec 15). The Falcon Heavy rocket will carry the X-37B, designated USSF-52, from Florida. The initial launch plan on a Sunday (Dec 17) was canceled due to adverse weather conditions at Cape Canaveral. The X-37B, an unmanned space test platform for the US Air Force, specialises in conducting experiments and testing diverse technologies in space. The nature of the experiments remains classified, sparking speculation about potential military applications. This mission marks the seventh for the X-37B, and it will be the first time it launches atop a Falcon Heavy, known for its reusability. Also Read | NASA releases footage of tomatoes lost in space for eight months Similar to the Space Shuttle concept, the X-37B can autonomously return to Earth after completing a mission, enabling preparations for subsequent launches. The compact design, roughly the size of a small bus, allows for easy maneuverability and accommodates various payloads for experimentation. Also Read | Scientists try to get molecules from extinct humans to discover new antibiotics The X-37B's reusability and long-duration orbital flights have been key features since its first mission in 2010. The latest mission, undisclosed in terms of altitude by the Pentagon, will involve testing new orbital regimes and experimenting with future space domain awareness technologies, according to a statement from the Air Force Rapid Capabilities Office, media reports said. Watch | Will Joe Biden be impeached? | The big allegations against the U.S. President × The X-37B will also carry a NASA experiment to study the effects of long-term radiation exposure on plant seeds in space. While the duration of the spaceplane's mission has not been disclosed by the military, it is expected to follow the trend of successively longer flights, potentially remaining in orbit until June 2026 or later. (With inputs from agencies)

After delay, SpaceX locks launch date for US military's X-37B secret plane

SpaceX's Falcon Heavy, the world's most powerful active rocket, was launched into space for the first time since 2019 on Tuesday. The launch took place at&nbsp;Florida's Cape Canaveral as the mission was carried out by the company owned by billionaire Elon Musk with the help of the US Space Force.&nbsp;

This was the first time that the US Space Force used the rocket since the branch of the military was created by former president Donald Trump to monitor the country’s defence missions in space.&nbsp;

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The Falcon Heavy was first used back in 2018 when it carried a red sports car made by Tesla to space as part of a trial run. It was also used to send a TV and phone service satellite&nbsp;to orbit for Saudi Arabia-based Arabsat and the final mission included the transport of experimental satellites for the US&nbsp;Department of Defence. However, it has been inactive since June 2019, according to Reuters.&nbsp;

According to the official statement released by the US military’s Space Systems Command, the launch went completely according to the plan and all three boosters detached themselves perfectly.&nbsp;

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While the authorities provided most of the information regarding the launch, the exact nature of the mission was not revealed. In the statement,&nbsp;the&nbsp;Space Systems Command said that it will be launching multiple satellites into orbit which will help the military in strengthening its tracking capabilities.&nbsp;

Space X has been working closely with the US military as the government looks to increase the number of orbiting satellites used for surveillance purposes. The other major partner for the military is United Launch Alliance, which is a joint operation between Boeing and Lockheed Martin.&nbsp;

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SpaceX's Falcon Heavy, the world's most powerful active rocket, was launched into space for the first time since 2019 on Tuesday. The launch took place at Florida's Cape Canaveral as the mission was carried out by the company owned by billionaire Elon Musk with the help of the US Space Force.

SpaceX's Falcon Heavy, the world's most powerful active rocket, was launched into space for the first time since 2019 on Tuesday. The launch took place at Florida's Cape Canaveral as the mission was carried out by the company owned by billionaire Elon Musk with the help of the US Space Force. This was the first time that the US Space Force used the rocket since the branch of the military was created by former president Donald Trump to monitor the country’s defence missions in space. Also read | 'Windfall of war': Energy firms report bumper profits as millions struggle The Falcon Heavy was first used back in 2018 when it carried a red sports car made by Tesla to space as part of a trial run. It was also used to send a TV and phone service satellite to orbit for Saudi Arabia-based Arabsat and the final mission included the transport of experimental satellites for the US Department of Defence. However, it has been inactive since June 2019, according to Reuters. According to the official statement released by the US military’s Space Systems Command, the launch went completely according to the plan and all three boosters detached themselves perfectly. Also read | Cases declining but Monkeypox remains a 'global health emergency': WHO While the authorities provided most of the information regarding the launch, the exact nature of the mission was not revealed. In the statement, the Space Systems Command said that it will be launching multiple satellites into orbit which will help the military in strengthening its tracking capabilities. Space X has been working closely with the US military as the government looks to increase the number of orbiting satellites used for surveillance purposes. The other major partner for the military is United Launch Alliance, which is a joint operation between Boeing and Lockheed Martin.

SpaceX’s Falcon Heavy rocket completes launch after three-year hiatus

SpaceX launched its Falcon Heavy rocket on Tuesday from Kennedy Space Center in Florida, carrying 24 experimental satellites in what Elon Musk's rocket company called one of the most difficult launches it has attempted.

The craft blasted off to cheers from onlookers at 2:30 a.m. (0630 GMT) after a three-hour delay from the original launch time late Monday.

The boosters separated safely as the craft began its six-hour mission to deploy the satellites.

The two-side booster rockets returned safely to Earth, landing on adjacent Air Force landing pads, but the rocket's centre booster missed its mark, crashing in the Atlantic ocean.

Musk, who predicted trouble with landing the centre booster on SpaceX's drone ship in the Atlantic, said on Twitter early Tuesday, "It was a long shot."

The mission, dubbed Space Test Program 2 (STP-2), is the third for the Falcon Heavy rocket, which SpaceX describes as the most powerful launch system in the world.

It was commissioned by the U.S. Department of Defense, the key contractor for commercial space companies such as SpaceX.

The company is putting satellites into orbit for agencies including NASA and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), defence department laboratories, universities and a non-profit organisation, SpaceX said.

The mission is one of the most challenging in SpaceX history, with four separate upper-stage engine burns and three separate orbits to deploy satellites, the company said on its website.

Solar sail

The payloads on the satellites Falcon Heavy is putting into orbit include an atomic clock NASA is testing for space navigation, another testing new telescope technologies, and a solar sail project part-funded by the Planetary Society, a non-profit organisation headed by Bill Nye, "The Science Guy" on television presentations.

The LightSail is a crowdfunded project that aims to become the first spacecraft in earth orbit propelled solely by sunlight, the society, which has championed solar propulsion for decades, says on its website.

Falcon Heavy is the most powerful operational rocket in the world "by a factor of two," SpaceX says on its website. It has the ability to lift into orbit nearly 64 metric tons (141,000 pounds) - more than a 737 jetliner loaded with passengers, crew, luggage and fuel.

Only the Saturn V moon rocket, last flown in 1973 from the same launch pad, delivered more payload to orbit, it says.

SpaceX launched its Falcon Heavy rocket on Tuesday from Kennedy Space Center in Florida, carrying 24 experimental satellites in what Elon Musk's rocket company called one of the most difficult launches it has attempted.

SpaceX launched its Falcon Heavy rocket on Tuesday from Kennedy Space Center in Florida, carrying 24 experimental satellites in what Elon Musk's rocket company called one of the most difficult launches it has attempted. The craft blasted off to cheers from onlookers at 2:30 a.m. (0630 GMT) after a three-hour delay from the original launch time late Monday. The boosters separated safely as the craft began its six-hour mission to deploy the satellites. The two-side booster rockets returned safely to Earth, landing on adjacent Air Force landing pads, but the rocket's centre booster missed its mark, crashing in the Atlantic ocean. Musk, who predicted trouble with landing the centre booster on SpaceX's drone ship in the Atlantic, said on Twitter early Tuesday, "It was a long shot." The mission, dubbed Space Test Program 2 (STP-2), is the third for the Falcon Heavy rocket, which SpaceX describes as the most powerful launch system in the world. It was commissioned by the U.S. Department of Defense, the key contractor for commercial space companies such as SpaceX. The company is putting satellites into orbit for agencies including NASA and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), defence department laboratories, universities and a non-profit organisation, SpaceX said. The mission is one of the most challenging in SpaceX history, with four separate upper-stage engine burns and three separate orbits to deploy satellites, the company said on its website. Solar sail The payloads on the satellites Falcon Heavy is putting into orbit include an atomic clock NASA is testing for space navigation, another testing new telescope technologies, and a solar sail project part-funded by the Planetary Society, a non-profit organisation headed by Bill Nye, "The Science Guy" on television presentations. The LightSail is a crowdfunded project that aims to become the first spacecraft in earth orbit propelled solely by sunlight, the society, which has championed solar propulsion for decades, says on its website. Falcon Heavy is the most powerful operational rocket in the world "by a factor of two," SpaceX says on its website. It has the ability to lift into orbit nearly 64 metric tons (141,000 pounds) - more than a 737 jetliner loaded with passengers, crew, luggage and fuel. Only the Saturn V moon rocket, last flown in 1973 from the same launch pad, delivered more payload to orbit, it says.

SpaceX launches Falcon Heavy rocket with 24 satellites

The most powerful operational rocket in the world, SpaceX's Falcon Heavy, launched its first commercial mission on Thursday (April 11) from Florida in a key demonstration for billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk's space company in the race to grasp lucrative military launch contracts.

SpaceX's Falcon Heavy conducts first commercial flight

Elon Musk&#39;s car that was recently shot into space as part of SpaceX&#39;s rocket test flight will likely collide with Earth or Venus eventually, scientists say.

&quot;It will likely end up colliding with Earth or Venus, but there&#39;s no need to panic since the probability of that happening even within the next million years is very small,&quot; said Hanno Rein, an assistant professor at University of Toronto in Canada.

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The car was sent into space as part of the payload for SpaceX&#39;s Falcon Heavy test flight on February 6.

While rocket test flights usually have a dummy payload, SpaceX founder Musk sent up his personal Tesla Roadster instead.

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Though the car does not have any scientific instruments on board, it is now classified as a near-earth object, and is being tracked by NASA&#39;s Jet Propulsion Laboratory along with other objects that will travel relatively close to Earth.

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After running a series of simulations using sophisticated software that can track the motion of objects in space, they determined the probability of it colliding with Earth and Venus over the next one million years to be six per cent and 2.5 per cent, respectively.

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They also determined that the first close encounter the Tesla will have with us will be in 2091, when it will pass within a few hundred thousand kilometres of Earth.

The car is currently on a Mars and Earth crossing orbit, meaning it will travel on an elliptical path that repeatedly carries it beyond Mars and then back to Earth&#39;s orbital distance from the sun.

How the car&#39;s orbit evolves over time will depend a lot on its encounters with Earth, especially how close it will get to Earth since any small change in its trajectory could have a large effect on its orbit.

While the path of the car can be accurately predicted in terms of years, after hundreds of years and many close encounters with Earth it becomes impossible to predict the object&#39;s precise orbit.

By studying a large number of orbital simulations, however, the researchers were able to arrive at a statistical distribution of possible outcomes.

&quot;Each time it passes Earth, the car will get a gravitational kick,&quot; said Dan Tamayo, a postdoctoral fellow at University of Toronto.

&quot;Depending on the details of these encounters, the Tesla can be kicked onto a wider or smaller orbit, so it&#39;s random,&quot; Tamayo said.

&quot;Over time the orbit will undergo what&#39;s called a random walk, similar to the fluctuations we see in the stock market, that will allow it to wander the inner solar system,&quot; he said.

While they only ran simulations for the first three million years of its space journey, the most likely outcome for the Tesla is for it to crash into Earth or Venus in the next 10 million years or so.

&quot;Although we are not able to tell on which planet the car will ultimately end up, we&#39;re comfortable saying it won&#39;t survive in space for more than a few tens of millions of years,&quot; he said.

While the car&#39;s likely final destination is Earth, they note there&#39;s nothing to fear since much or all of it will likely burn up in the atmosphere.&nbsp;

'But there's no need to panic since the probability of that happening even within the next million years is very small,' say the experts

Elon Musk's car that was recently shot into space as part of SpaceX's rocket test flight will likely collide with Earth or Venus eventually, scientists say. "It will likely end up colliding with Earth or Venus, but there's no need to panic since the probability of that happening even within the next million years is very small," said Hanno Rein, an assistant professor at University of Toronto in Canada. Also read: Elon Musk wants to reach Mars. Is it a great idea? The car was sent into space as part of the payload for SpaceX's Falcon Heavy test flight on February 6. While rocket test flights usually have a dummy payload, SpaceX founder Musk sent up his personal Tesla Roadster instead. Also read: SpaceX poised to launch 'world's most powerful rocket' Though the car does not have any scientific instruments on board, it is now classified as a near-earth object, and is being tracked by NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory along with other objects that will travel relatively close to Earth. Also read: SpaceX sends a sports car into space with world's most powerful rocket After running a series of simulations using sophisticated software that can track the motion of objects in space, they determined the probability of it colliding with Earth and Venus over the next one million years to be six per cent and 2.5 per cent, respectively. Also read: Musk's Tesla overshoots Mars orbit They also determined that the first close encounter the Tesla will have with us will be in 2091, when it will pass within a few hundred thousand kilometres of Earth. The car is currently on a Mars and Earth crossing orbit, meaning it will travel on an elliptical path that repeatedly carries it beyond Mars and then back to Earth's orbital distance from the sun. How the car's orbit evolves over time will depend a lot on its encounters with Earth, especially how close it will get to Earth since any small change in its trajectory could have a large effect on its orbit. While the path of the car can be accurately predicted in terms of years, after hundreds of years and many close encounters with Earth it becomes impossible to predict the object's precise orbit. By studying a large number of orbital simulations, however, the researchers were able to arrive at a statistical distribution of possible outcomes. "Each time it passes Earth, the car will get a gravitational kick," said Dan Tamayo, a postdoctoral fellow at University of Toronto. "Depending on the details of these encounters, the Tesla can be kicked onto a wider or smaller orbit, so it's random," Tamayo said. "Over time the orbit will undergo what's called a random walk, similar to the fluctuations we see in the stock market, that will allow it to wander the inner solar system," he said. While they only ran simulations for the first three million years of its space journey, the most likely outcome for the Tesla is for it to crash into Earth or Venus in the next 10 million years or so. "Although we are not able to tell on which planet the car will ultimately end up, we're comfortable saying it won't survive in space for more than a few tens of millions of years," he said. While the car's likely final destination is Earth, they note there's nothing to fear since much or all of it will likely burn up in the atmosphere.

Musk's car shot into space likely to collide with Earth

After Elon Musk&rsquo;s Tesla Roadster was successfully mounted atop SpaceX&rsquo;s Falcon Heavy and launched into space, the vehicle is now reported to have travelled farther out into the Solar System.

Musk&#39;s&nbsp;Tesla Roadster was originally supposed to be around the Sun and travel to the Mars&nbsp;orbit. The rocket carrying the car is reported to have overshot the trajectory going on to an orbit that extends beyond the Mars&nbsp;path.&nbsp;

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Third burn successful. Exceeded Mars orbit and kept going to the Asteroid Belt. <a href="https://t.co/bKhRN73WHF">pic.twitter.com/bKhRN73WHF</a>
&mdash; Elon Musk (@elonmusk) <a href="https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/961083704230674438?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 7, 2018</a></blockquote>
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According to SpaceX CEO Elon Musk, the vehicle may make it to the asteroid belt.

Musk had previously noted that there were slim chances of the car-carrying rocket to hit the Red Planet.&nbsp;

Tesla Roadster will be at its closest to Mars in October of 2020.&nbsp;

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<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/Be6VZEzgAEk/" style=" color:#000; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none; word-wrap:break-word;" target="_blank">Last pic of Starman in Roadster enroute to Mars orbit and then the Asteroid Belt</a>

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Falcon Heavy, touted as the world&#39;s most powerful rocket in operation, is also one of Elon Musk&#39;s most ambitious projects.&nbsp;

The spacecraft is expected to ferry people to the moon or Mars in future.&nbsp;

Musk had previously noted that there were slim chances of the vehicle to hit the Red Planet

After Elon Musk’s Tesla Roadster was successfully mounted atop SpaceX’s Falcon Heavy and launched into space, the vehicle is now reported to have travelled farther out into the Solar System. Musk's Tesla Roadster was originally supposed to be around the Sun and travel to the Mars orbit. The rocket carrying the car is reported to have overshot the trajectory going on to an orbit that extends beyond the Mars path. Third burn successful. Exceeded Mars orbit and kept going to the Asteroid Belt. pic.twitter.com/bKhRN73WHF — Elon Musk (@elonmusk) February 7, 2018 × According to SpaceX CEO Elon Musk, the vehicle may make it to the asteroid belt. Musk had previously noted that there were slim chances of the car-carrying rocket to hit the Red Planet. Tesla Roadster will be at its closest to Mars in October of 2020. Last pic of Starman in Roadster enroute to Mars orbit and then the Asteroid Belt A post shared by Elon Musk (@elonmusk) on Feb 7, 2018 at 2:00pm PST × Falcon Heavy, touted as the world's most powerful rocket in operation, is also one of Elon Musk's most ambitious projects. The spacecraft is expected to ferry people to the moon or Mars in future.

SpaceX Falcon Heavy launch: Musk's Tesla overshoots Mars orbit

SpaceX chief executive Elon Musk plans to blast off his own Tesla roadster Tuesday, atop the world&#39;s most powerful rocket in operation, the Falcon Heavy, to the tune of David Bowie&#39;s &quot;Space Oddity.&quot;&nbsp;

Here are some of the other far-out space projects that Musk has cooked up in recent years.

Reusable rockets&nbsp;

To bring down the cost of spaceflight and boost efficiency, a key goal for Musk is to make rockets as re-usable as commercial airplanes, instead of tossing the multi-million dollar components after each launch.&nbsp;

After some early crashes and near-misses that prompted SpaceX to showcase them in a blooper reel, the company has now perfected the art of firing the booster&#39;s engines, maneuvering the grid fins and neatly landing the tall portion of the rockets upright on solid ground and on ocean platforms.

Musk&#39;s not the only one to have done it -- competitor Blue Origin, a rocket company run by Amazon chief Jeff Bezos, has also managed to land its own rockets in a similar fashion.

But no one has done it so many times. SpaceX has landed 21 of its Falcon 9 boosters so far.

Colonizing Mars&nbsp;

Musk wants to make humans an &quot;interplanetary species&quot; by establishing a colony of people living on the Mars.&nbsp;

Riding on reusable rockets and spaceships -- still under development -- people could travel 100 at a time to the Red Planet.&nbsp;

The idea is to bring up to a million people to Mars in the next century. Test flights could start in the next decade.

The cost to develop the rocket and spacecraft is estimated at $10 billion.

&nbsp;BFR&nbsp;

SpaceX is calling the rocket that would carry all these people to Mars &quot;BFR,&quot; which Musk has jokingly -- or not -- referred to as code for &quot;Big F-ing Rocket.&quot;&nbsp;

According to Spacenews.com, its formal name is now understood to be &quot;Big Falcon Rocket.&quot;

The idea is to have one booster and ship that replaces three of SpaceX&#39;s signature projects -- the Falcon 9 rocket which blasts off the Dragon cargo ship to the International Space Station, the Falcon Heavy which aims to be the world&#39;s most powerful rocket for now, and may one day ferry supplies to Mars.

The BFR is designed to stand 106 meters tall, with 10.8 million pounds of thrust, far more than the Saturn V moon rocket at 7.9 million pounds of thrust.&nbsp;

The first tests could come as early 2019, with orbital tests in 2020.

The first cargo shipments could make it to Mars in 2022, SpaceX has said.

Rockets on Earth &nbsp;

New York to Shanghai via rocket in 39 minutes? It&#39;s all part of Musk&#39;s vision for rocket travel on Earth.

The BFR will be the vehicle, Musk has vowed, to fly to most places on Earth in under 30 mins and anywhere in under 60.

The cost per seat would be about the same as an airplane economy fare, he said.

Cargo and crew to space&nbsp;

It&#39;s seems like old news now, but SpaceX made history in 2010 by becoming the first private company to send its own spaceship to orbit and recover it.

In 2012, SpaceX broke barriers again, sending its Dragon cargo ship to the orbiting International Space Station.

That same year, SpaceX began regular cargo missions to supply the astronauts living in space with its gum-drop shaped Dragon cargo ship, launched atop the Falcon 9 rocket, under a $1.6 billion contract with NASA.

Orbital ATK also sends its unmanned Cygnus cargo carrier to the ISS under a $1.9 billion deal with NASA.&nbsp;

SpaceX&#39;s Dragon is the only ship that can be returned to Earth intact. The Cygnus burns up on re-entry to Earth&#39;s atmosphere.

SpaceX is developing a crew Dragon vehicle that will be able to transport several astronauts at a time to the space lab. Its first manned flight could come later this year. 
&nbsp;

SpaceX will launch the world's most powerful rocket Tuesday, with a car strapped on top and David Bowie's Space Oddity playing in the background

SpaceX chief executive Elon Musk plans to blast off his own Tesla roadster Tuesday, atop the world's most powerful rocket in operation, the Falcon Heavy, to the tune of David Bowie's "Space Oddity." Here are some of the other far-out space projects that Musk has cooked up in recent years. Reusable rockets To bring down the cost of spaceflight and boost efficiency, a key goal for Musk is to make rockets as re-usable as commercial airplanes, instead of tossing the multi-million dollar components after each launch. After some early crashes and near-misses that prompted SpaceX to showcase them in a blooper reel, the company has now perfected the art of firing the booster's engines, maneuvering the grid fins and neatly landing the tall portion of the rockets upright on solid ground and on ocean platforms. Musk's not the only one to have done it -- competitor Blue Origin, a rocket company run by Amazon chief Jeff Bezos, has also managed to land its own rockets in a similar fashion. But no one has done it so many times. SpaceX has landed 21 of its Falcon 9 boosters so far. Colonizing Mars Musk wants to make humans an "interplanetary species" by establishing a colony of people living on the Mars. Riding on reusable rockets and spaceships -- still under development -- people could travel 100 at a time to the Red Planet. The idea is to bring up to a million people to Mars in the next century. Test flights could start in the next decade. The cost to develop the rocket and spacecraft is estimated at $10 billion. BFR SpaceX is calling the rocket that would carry all these people to Mars "BFR," which Musk has jokingly -- or not -- referred to as code for "Big F-ing Rocket." According to Spacenews.com, its formal name is now understood to be "Big Falcon Rocket." The idea is to have one booster and ship that replaces three of SpaceX's signature projects -- the Falcon 9 rocket which blasts off the Dragon cargo ship to the International Space Station, the Falcon Heavy which aims to be the world's most powerful rocket for now, and may one day ferry supplies to Mars. The BFR is designed to stand 106 meters tall, with 10.8 million pounds of thrust, far more than the Saturn V moon rocket at 7.9 million pounds of thrust. The first tests could come as early 2019, with orbital tests in 2020. The first cargo shipments could make it to Mars in 2022, SpaceX has said. Rockets on Earth New York to Shanghai via rocket in 39 minutes? It's all part of Musk's vision for rocket travel on Earth. The BFR will be the vehicle, Musk has vowed, to fly to most places on Earth in under 30 mins and anywhere in under 60. The cost per seat would be about the same as an airplane economy fare, he said. Cargo and crew to space It's seems like old news now, but SpaceX made history in 2010 by becoming the first private company to send its own spaceship to orbit and recover it. In 2012, SpaceX broke barriers again, sending its Dragon cargo ship to the orbiting International Space Station. That same year, SpaceX began regular cargo missions to supply the astronauts living in space with its gum-drop shaped Dragon cargo ship, launched atop the Falcon 9 rocket, under a $1.6 billion contract with NASA. Orbital ATK also sends its unmanned Cygnus cargo carrier to the ISS under a $1.9 billion deal with NASA. SpaceX's Dragon is the only ship that can be returned to Earth intact. The Cygnus burns up on re-entry to Earth's atmosphere. SpaceX is developing a crew Dragon vehicle that will be able to transport several astronauts at a time to the space lab. Its first manned flight could come later this year.

Five things to know about Elon Musk's space projects

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