SpaceX succeeds in launching 'most powerful rocket'

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US private rocket company SpaceX has succeeded in launching its "Falcon Heavy" rocket.

The rocket was launched from Launch Complex 39A at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida at 3:45 p.m. local time on Tuesday.

The payload was another product from SpaceX founder Elon Musk: an electric car made by Tesla.

A dummy human in a spacesuit behind the wheels of a red Tesla sports car, while David Bowie's Space Oddity plays on loop, is now floating in space. /Photo via SpaceX

Musk and his company are currently monitoring the flight, with a camera shooting a dummy human inside the car in what they call "live view of Starman."

The Falcon Heavy is the world's heaviest working rocket, according to SpaceX, which said it is "the most powerful operational rocket in the world by a factor of two."

That means it can carry twice the payload of United Launch Alliance's Delta IV Heavy, at a far lower cost – about 90 million US dollars per launch compared to 350 million US dollars for its competitor.

In addition, the Falcon Heavy is essentially three smaller, Falcon 9 rockets strapped together, adding up to a total of 27 engines.

The 70-meter tall rocket is designed to carry nearly 64 metric tons into orbit – more than the mass of a fully loaded 737 jetliner.

How the Falcon Heavy compares to other rockets. /Photo via SpaceX

It was initially intended to restore the possibility of sending humans to the Moon or Mars, but those plans have shifted and now the Falcon Heavy is being considered mainly as a potential equipment carrier to deep space destinations, Musk said on Monday.

The launch was delayed for weeks. Ahead of zero hour, Musk was not very confident, saying "I would consider it a win if it just clears the pad."

Clearing the pad means the rocket doesn't blow up before lifting, like SpaceX rocket type Falcon 9 did in 2015.

Experts said the launch would likely catch the eye of the US space agency NASA, which may consider using the Falcon Heavy as a way to fast-track its plans to reach the Moon again for the first time since 1972.

Acting NASA Administrator Robert Lightfoot congratulated SpaceX and called it a "tremendous accomplishment."

SpaceX CEO Elon Musk conducts a press conference following the first SpaceX Falcon Heavy launch from the Kennedy Space Center. /VCG Photo

Kennedy Space Center Director Bob Cabana said: "the successful launch of a new vehicle on its first flight is a significant accomplishment they can be very proud of."

Canadian astronaut Chris Hadfield tweeted: "What we're watching is @SpaceX leaving all other rocket companies in the dust. Congrats to everyone there!"

US President Donald Trump also offered his congratulations, tweeting: "This achievement, along with @NASA's commercial and international partners, continues to show American ingenuity at its best!"

(With input from AFP)