The Flacon Heavy rocket will launch Feb. 6, 2018. Source: Space News

SpaceX has finally set the date for the launch of its eagerly awaited Falcon Heavy rocket. The company confirmed that the rocket will launch for the very first time on February 6. The Falcon Heavy is regarded as one of the most powerful rockets in the world and it promises to revolutionize space travel over the coming few years.

So, why does this matter so much? Well, to start with, this is a rocket that can send humans to Mars. The rocket will have a stronger thrust. Only the Saturn V rocket by NASA had more power and thrust than the Falcon Heavy. Power and thrust are vital because they guarantee that a rocket will travel longer into space.

However, the rocket does not come cheap. SpaceX says that it costs about $90 million. This makes it 45% more expensive than the Falcon 9, a rocket that has been traditionally used by SpaceX for most of its missions. But the price is indeed worth it. The Falcon Heavy is three times more powerful than the Falcon 9. Overall, the long-term costs are also relatively cheaper.

The Falcon Heavy will send a Tesla roadster into space. Source: Business Insider

The first mission for the Falcon Heavy will be to deliver a dummy payload into space. Unsurprisingly, the rocket will send a Tesla roadster worth $100,000. The Falcon Heavy has a number of reusable parts which could explain why it’s relatively cheaper operationally compared to the other rockets. It has also been in development for quite some time now.

The rocket was expected to launch back in 2013 but the date had to be moved to 2017. SpaceX CEO Elon Musk says that he is confident that the launch will be successful but remained cautiously optimistic saying that with such heavy duty technology anything can go wrong. A SpaceX rocket has failed to launch once. In 2016, a launch failure totally destroyed the launch site.

The launch can be watched live. Source: Florida Today

In case you are interested in watching the launch live, there are a number of options available. If you decide to watch it online, SpaceX has a webcast every time there is a launch where you can witness the Falcon Heavy take off from the comfort of your desk. For people who are close to Cape Canaveral, the proposed launch site, Parrish Park and Space View Park are going to offer you an exclusive view of everything.

But for those of you who want the VIP experience, you can buy tickets to the launch. You will get a closer view with this option and you will be able to interact with other space enthusiasts too. Tickets are available at the Kennedy Space Center visitors’ complex.

SpaceX is one of the most disruptive companies in the space industry. The company has pioneered innovative technology with the ultimate goal of making space travel more accessible to regular people. The launch of the Falcon Heavy will herald a momentous time in the history of the space company, and it’s something that we are looking forward to.