Won't Approach Earth Again Until November 2020

SpaceX made a big splash when a red Tesla Roadster was launched into space during the first test flight of the Falcon Heavy rocket with a mannequin named "Starman" sitting in the driver's seat. Now, more than 550 days after being launched, the car and its "occupant" have completed their first orbit of the sun.

The elliptical orbit has taken the roadster more than 762 million miles ... which according to Engadget exceeds the car's original 36,000-mile warranty by 21,000 times.

The next time is even remotely "close" to Earth will be November 5, 2020, when it will be about 32.2 million miles from its home planet. It will be much closer to Mars on October 7 of that year ... a measly 4.6 million miles. After that, it's a long time before Starman will be close to home. Estimates are that it will be 2047 before the car might be able to get a celestial exit back to Earth.

SpaceX may go out and intercept the roadster before that happens. Musk hopes that he can mount a manned mission to Mars as soon as 2030, so interplanetary travel could be a reality by the time Starman is within reach again.

And with Musk's penchant for reusing things, we wouldn't put it past him to try to reclaim his car and put it back on the road.

(Image from file)

FMI: Source report
www.whereisroadster.com