📺 Stream EntrepreneurTV for Free 📺

Elon Musk's Roadster Is Heading for the Asteroid Belt The third and final burn worked too well and means the Roadster will overshoot its planned Mars orbit.

By Matthew Humphries

entrepreneur daily

This story originally appeared on PCMag

via PC Mag

Yesterday, SpaceX made history by successfully launching the world's most powerful rocket with a Tesla Roadster as a payload. The launch captured the world's attention, amazed everyone with that synchronized rocket landing, and left Elon Musk tripping out. However, it wasn't completely without fault.

While we saw two rockets land perfectly, the center core was only seen descending. SpaceX later confirmed that the center core had been lost as it missed its landing platform.


SpaceX will gather all the data, learn why it happened, and fix the problem for next time.

The second problem can't really be fixed. As The Verge reports, following a six-hour cruise phase, the engine bolted to the back of the Roadster carried out a third and final burn. The burn happened, but ended up being a little too successful and exceeded the Mars orbit. So rather than ending up at Mars, the Roadster is on course to visit the asteroid belt and will pass by the dwarf planet Ceres.


There is still a lot of data to crunch before we will be told exactly what path the car will now follow. The infinite elliptical orbit between Mars and the sun doesn't look like it can happen anymore, though.

SpaceX and Musk can't be too upset by this as the most important parts of the mission went extremely well. The team proved they can build and launch the world's most powerful rocket and carry payloads into deep space.

Matthew Humphries

Senior Editor

Want to be an Entrepreneur Leadership Network contributor? Apply now to join.

Editor's Pick

Money & Finance

12 Books That Self-Made Millionaires Swear By

The bookshelves of millionaires can inspire you to build your wealth. Here are 12 must-reads they recommend.

Business Ideas

63 Small Business Ideas to Start in 2024

We put together a list of the best, most profitable small business ideas for entrepreneurs to pursue in 2024.

Devices

Stay Focused and Accessible with These $40 Conduction Headphones

These headphones sit on top of your ears, so you can take calls while staying tuned into your surroundings.

Social Media

How To Start a Youtube Channel: Step-by-Step Guide

YouTube can be a valuable way to grow your audience. If you're ready to create content, read more about starting a business YouTube Channel.

Devices

Keep the Office Cool This Summer with $10 Off a Klima Thermostat

The Klima Smart Thermostat can turn your existing mini split, heat pump, or AC into a smart unit.

Green Entrepreneur®

A Deer Invasion in Hawaii Has Turned Into an Environmental Crisis—And a Sustainable Business Opportunity

How Maui Nui Venison built a for-profit harvesting business that protects the land and helps the local community.