He did it. The crazy S.O.B. did it. Elon Musk and his incredible team of engineers at SpaceX successfully launched Falcon Heavy, the biggest, most powerful rocket in the world, into space, while safely landing all three of its rocket boosters back on Earth so they can be reused, in a stunning medley of science and imagination. Without exaggeration, it was one of the most amazing feats in the history of mankind, and one day it might very well prove to have been one of the greatest, most important developments in the journey beyond our home world into the deep cosmos outside of solar system. It was truly a breathtaking endeavor.
…one that also included launching a cherry red roadster manned by a spacesuit-clad mannequin named Starman, who will travel for hundreds of millions of years with a copy of Isaac Asmiov’s Foundation series, Douglas Adams’Â Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy’s motto “Don’t Panic” on the dashboard, and David Bowie’s “Life on Mars” blaring. So in addition to being one of the most meaningful scientific achievements in history, it was simultaneously also one of the geekiest and coolest thing ever done. (Not convinced? The below image is 100% real.)
Considering everything that Falcon Heavy accomplished and the images it produced, people from all walks of life responded with a range of emotions, from total awe and sincere appreciation, to newfound hope for the future, to pure unadulterated glee. (That said, there were also a few who got a little worried over the whole thing, mostly because they have been paying attention to how super villains in movies and comics usually get their starts.)
To celebrate this monumental occasion, we rounded up some of our favorite memes, reactions, and images the internet had to offer.
Congratulations @elonmusk and #SpaceX – how I wish Douglas Adams were alive to see âDonât Panicâ in large friendly letters on the Tesla That was a classy addition.
— Stephen Fry (@stephenfry) February 6, 2018
#FalconHeavy boosters landing, pretty much as advertised in the early promotional video. Cool! @SpaceX @elonmusk pic.twitter.com/Me13Mhrqn1
— Astro0 (@Astro0Glen) February 7, 2018
What an incredible gif. #Starman #FalconHeavy #SpaceX #Tesla pic.twitter.com/w2M4zZPZjG
— Taraustralis (@Taraustralis) February 7, 2018
https://twitter.com/Apesinspaceco/status/961094253446418432
This was unlike anything I've ever seen before: Congratulations @elonmusk and the @SpaceX team. I'll let my pictures of the #SpaceX #FalconHeavy speak for themselves.
Wow. Just, wow.
(Pics by me / @WeReportSpace) pic.twitter.com/w6IW5SRmGw
— Michael Seeley (@Mike_Seeley) February 6, 2018
Welp. #SpaceX has broken me for the day. I'm done. This is live. LIVE. https://t.co/C49gMMmwfK #FalconHeavy pic.twitter.com/dGBCSLNLPO
— Shannon Stirone (@shannonmstirone) February 6, 2018
Whoâd have guessed that HEAVY METAL would more accurately predict the future than 2001 or BLADE RUNNER? #FalconHeavy #SpaceX #Starman pic.twitter.com/dGNDrfEqZY
— Charles de Lauzirika (@Lauzirika) February 6, 2018
the #spacex solar orbit insertion burn as seen from @mmtobservatory… pic.twitter.com/3KOHgOltiS
— Timothy Pickering (@te_pickering) February 7, 2018
Conclusive proof that the Earth isnât flat.
Incredible photos from the #SpaceX launch. pic.twitter.com/8YBGhEwGEK— NinetyFive (@NinetyFive_UK) February 7, 2018
This was one of the most fantastic, spirited and mind blowing things I ever got to see. Elon Musk and his space people are damn wizards!pic.twitter.com/bTudqhjMJ9 #SpaceX
— Kabir Taneja (@KabirTaneja) February 7, 2018
Printed on the circuit board of a car in deep space – "Made on Earth by humans". Credit: Elon Musk #FalconHeavy #SpaceX #ElonMusk pic.twitter.com/nZY3imiz3X
— Space Explorer Mike (@MichaelGalanin) February 7, 2018
https://twitter.com/The2OC/status/961238841809100800
https://twitter.com/sarahmldnenbr/status/961227420211687424
We’re not sure these next ones count as some of the “best” reactions, but in case future historians are reading this and want to know how absurd life was in 2018, here’s a pretty good barometer:
https://twitter.com/Hostess_Snacks/status/961066780834885632
Congratulations to #SpaceX on successful launch of #FalconHeavy! pic.twitter.com/dlwsv9wPtV
— World of Tanks Blitz (@WoTBlitz) February 7, 2018
NO! We are not letting something this amazing be co-opted by brands to sell stupid snacks or games. Back to the hopeful stuff!
I canât stop thinking about yesterdayâs #SpaceX launch & how it delightfully took over social media.
In todayâs climate, where hope has been replaced with fear & blame has replaced accountability, Iâm glad we could all take a minute to stare at the heavens and embrace discovery.
— Justin Stone (@DisnyRunr24) February 7, 2018
Watching my first LAUNCH and it was not only amazing but HISTORIC as in once of a lifetime event.#CapeCanaveral #FalconHeavy #SpaceX #NASA #lifeachievment pic.twitter.com/sN1qCnXqhp
— Josh Barrett (@jt_barrett23) February 7, 2018
There's an astronaut named after a David Bowie song driving an electric car named after neglected scientist orbiting the Earth right now.
No science fiction author could have envisioned such a scenario. Earthlings you never cease to amaze me.#SpaceX #Starman— berty ashley (@bertyashley) February 7, 2018
i don't know much about space or space travel. I'm not really interested either. But events like the #SpaceX give me hope that man will never stop exploring. Mars might be a dead rock, but we have to go there. Why? Because it's next.
— N. Ã Paloff (@n_paloff) February 7, 2018
This is not fake. This is not CGI. This is literally #SpaceX. I have never been more excited for the future of space. Elon Musk is inspiring generations of future adventurers with each new step his team makes. So happy to be alive at a time to witness this! pic.twitter.com/OsmCToxSTx
— Josiah Moore (@Josiahx) February 7, 2018
Only those who will risk going too far can possibly find out how far one can go.
-T.S. Eliot #ElonMusk #SpaceX #FalconHeavy pic.twitter.com/bL6hHBmjUJ— TheWriteReads (@The_WriteReads) February 7, 2018
Of course, there’s nothing wrong with having a little fun with this. We’d have been disappointed if we didn’t get a bunch of hilarious jokes and GIFs from the whole ordeal.
Current status #SpaceX pic.twitter.com/CA6ZDuxa2S
— Jean-Marc Denis (@jmdenisme) February 7, 2018
Elon Musk Checks Washing For Missing Wallet Before Realising It Was In His Car https://t.co/1nj4ffW7hT #falconheavy #spacex
— The Betoota Advocate (@BetootaAdvocate) February 7, 2018
This makes for one BADASS car commercial, @elonmusk.
Watch till the end! #Tesla #FalconHeavy #SpaceX pic.twitter.com/apsV1xGBfG— Dion Pardo ⢠(@realDionPardo) February 7, 2018
I added music from the movie HEAVY METAL to footage of #Starman from #SpaceX. What do you think @elonmusk? pic.twitter.com/Ke3FlbLmCA
— Matt (@themattprov) February 7, 2018
Haters gonna say it's photoshopped.#SpaceX pic.twitter.com/wshpLjvRm1
— Formula Humor (@FormulaHumor) February 7, 2018
the circle closes #SpaceX pic.twitter.com/rb7VleCGjH
— DefinitelyNotMoe5i (@Moe5i) February 7, 2018
https://twitter.com/imchriskitchens/status/961245722015301638
Bullshire Police are reporting #Starman for consideration of the question of prosecuting him for the offence of 'Excess Speed'.
Apparently.#SpaceX #Photoshop pic.twitter.com/mQWZKg4AZD
— Bullshire Police (@BullshirePolice) February 7, 2018
Thelma, Elon and Louise. @theage #FalconHeavy @elonmusk #SpaceX pic.twitter.com/H2bOXe6BpU
— MattGolding Cartoons (@GoldingCartoons) February 7, 2018
"I'm trippin balls here"
–@elonmusk #SpaceX #ElonMusk #FalconHeavy #Starman pic.twitter.com/8rWNkJ3UMO
— Kyle Gene Gary (@kookslamkyle) February 7, 2018
To reiterate, there is a small group of people who are just a little bit worried about an über-wealthy private citizen sending a freaking car to space. And we have to admit that if all of this were taking place at the start of a movie instead of in real life, we’d be pretty sure that the man behind the project would take a dark turn pretty soon. The Falcon Heavy launch could very well be the start of something great for humanity… or it could be the beginning of Emperor Elon Musk’s quest for world domination.
multiple generations who grew up in superhero movies and james bond and no one can recognize a supervillian when he launches a $200K car into space for no real reason
— Helena Fitzgerald (@helfitzgerald) February 6, 2018
Hey, @elonmusk now that you are a bona fide Supervillian, will you be opening up applications for the position of Henchman?
I'm ex-military, a skilled engineer and a keen scuba diver with a passion for excellence and world domination.
References can be supplied upon request.
— Henry Brubaker (@Inst_4_Studies) February 7, 2018
All I'm saying is, I would not be surprised if Elon Musk's space-car was a Transformer and part of a cartoonish plan for world domination.
— Peter (@LordLandshark) February 7, 2018
@elonmusk That's not a dummy, that's the original Elon! Now his clone, Evil Elon, can continue his unrelentless march towards total world domination.
— Michael Kotlikov (@mkotlikov) February 7, 2018
If @elonmusk doesnât turn out to be an evil villain bent on world domination Iâm going to be bitterly disappointed! #spaceXrocks
— Kass James (@jkassaps) February 6, 2018
Elon Musk is a villain with an undersea lair sort of name. Just you wait.
— Louis Barfe (@AlanKelloggs) February 7, 2018
Elon Musk is every dystopian cyberpunk CEO who is revealed as the villain in the third act. Stop worshipping this dude ffs.
— Tom Johnson (@thattomjohnson) February 6, 2018
If all this is true, I'd welcome Elon Musk as an evil super-genuis bent on world domination… cause hes WAAAAY fucking cooler than what we've got now
— Freddy (@Freddy_Weber) February 7, 2018
What did you think of the launch? What was the best reaction you saw? Share your best thoughts, tweets, and images with us in the comments below.
Images: SpaceX
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