Background information
Elon Musk, the innovative businessman and entrepreneur, has made headlines over the years for his various ventures, from electric cars to reusable rockets. But one of his more headline-grabbing achievements has been the sending of one of his Tesla Roadsters into space. On February 6th, 2018, Musk launched the Tesla Roadster from the back of a SpaceX Falcon Heavy rocket from the Kennedy Space Centre in Cape Canaveral, Florida. This launch marked the first successful heavy-lift launch from a private company.
Reasons Behind the Launch
The launch of the Tesla Roadster into space had much more purpose than simply for show. Firstly, the launch was an important test for the Falcon Heavy. Musk himself admitted that there was a real chance that the launch could fail, which would have been a major and potentially disastrous setback for SpaceX. After all, the success of SpaceX lies in its ability to create reusable rockets that are cost-effective, safe and reliable. The successful launch of the Falcon Heavy was a major step forward in reaching that goal.
The launch was also certainly a publicity stunt. At the time, Musk and Tesla had garnered considerable attention and acclaim in the mainstream media. The sending of the Tesla Roadster into space was an attention-grabbing idea, one which was met with a great deal of enthusiasm and hype. Musk even played David Bowie’s ‘Space Oddity’ just before the launch.
Tesla Roadster in Space
Once launched, the Tesla Roadster traveled approximately two-thirds of the way around the sun, reaching a maximum distance of about 2.6 million miles away from Earth. Attached to the Roadster was a dummy astronaut wearing a spacesuit, also known as Starman, and a disk containing a copy of Isaac Asimov’s book ‘Foundation’. It is estimated that the Roadster will travel through the solar system indefinitely.
Reactions and reflections
The launch of the Tesla Roadster captured the world’s imagination, and was met with widespread media coverage and admiration. Musk himself appeared to be pleased, describing it as “the most inspiring thing I’ve ever seen”. Despite potential issues such as future debris collisions, some argue that the launch of the ten-year battery powered Roadster was actually a promoting of renewable energies such as solar power.
Analysis
The successful send-off of the Tesla Roadster was an impressive achievement for Musk and SpaceX in terms of technological, financial and marketing outcomes. Musk was able to demonstrate the capabilities of SpaceX, whilst also receiving a great deal of publicity for himself, Tesla and Space X.
Whilst there were certainly some issues and risks with the SpaceX launch, such as the potential for future collisions and the danger of the Falcon Heavy’s failure, it was an incredible technological and financial achievement for Musk and SpaceX. It showed that his ideas and theories can be applicable in reality and demonstrates the importance of investing in renewable energies that can promote environmental sustainability.
Costs and benefits
From a financial point of view, the send-offof the Tesla Roadster was a major success. The Falcon Heavy launch cost SpaceX just $90 million to complete. In comparison, the United Launch Alliance‘s Delta 4 heavy rocket, operated by Boeing and Lockheed Martin, cost around $350 million per launch, showing just how much money could be saved by using SpaceX rather than more traditional companies.
Moreover, the launch also presented an important opportunity for marketing, as the branding of Tesla was spread to many millions of people who saw the launch on television and online. Likewise, Musk’s reputation as an entrepreneur and innovator has only been further enhanced by his sending of the Tesla Roadster into space, placing himself firmly in the minds of those consumers who may want to invest in the future of green energy, transport and space exploration.
Ethical implications
Whilst the launch of the Tesla Roadster may have been seen as an exciting proposal and achievement from a financial, technological and scientific angle, some argue that there are also various ethical and environmental implications that should be taken into account.
The sending of a potentially polluting, long-term debris into space, such as a battery-powered vehicle, could have a major effect on other bodies and populations in the solar system. Space exploration, whilst exciting, is not without risks and should be conducted with caution if we are to ensure the lasting impact and protection of our environment, and the protection of other people, communities and populations in space.
Environmental impacts
Furthermore, potentially environmental effects from the launch of the Tesla Roadster should also be considered. Although the timing of the launch was certainly fortuitous, as it coincided with a period of rapid and notable climate change, some suggest that the sending of a car into space is a contradiction to the fight to protect our environment and reduce emissions.
Although electric cars are generally better for the environment than petrol and diesel cars, the Tesla Roadster and other debris sent into space could have a number of potential threats, such as the break-down of chemical compounds into hazardous by-products, and the potential of the debris hitting other bodies and disrupting the atmosphere or balance of the solar system.
Conclusion of ethical impacts
Whilst Elon Musk and SpaceX may have happily and successfully sent a Tesla Roadster into space, and achieved various financial, technological and marketing success, it is important to also consider the risks that this could carry for the future of our environment and for other living things. Careful thought and caution should be taken whenever any form of space exploration is conducted, and we should always consider the impact that things like the Tesla Roadster could have on the planet, not just the success and profitability of the venture.
