Seven Years ago on 6 February 2018, SpaceX’s Falcon Heavy made its maiden voyage, carrying a Tesla Roadster with Starman in the driver’s seat. The rocket is designed to go beyond low Earth orbit but is not certified to carry any sentient biologics.

Recently, astronomers affiliated with Harvard announced the discovery of an asteroid in an orbit uncomfortably close to Earth. Further research by the red-faced researchers revealed that it was the Tesla roadster launched by SpaceX in 2018. The Tesla is in a heliocentric orbit and is currently on its second trip around the sun, according to Pearson.

To date, Falcon Heavy has inserted 11 payloads into GEO, GTO, HEO, LEO, and heliocentric orbits. It has up to 10 more missions scheduled through 2028. Eventually, the rocket will supposedly be retired when Starship is fully operational.

Source: US News. Person. CNET. Graphic: Falcon Heavy Demo Mission, 2018, copyright SpaceX. Falcon Heavy First Launch 6 February 2018, copyright SpaceX.