Does anyone know whether SpaceX has the ability to track the Tesla in space? How long will earth-based telescopes be able to track it? It's probably more reflective than your average space rock...
They know it's orbital parameters, so they should be able to predict where it is. But the Tesla is really small and dark, you probably won't be able to spot it, even with a decent telescope and in relative vicinity to Earth.
Edit: it's reflective, yes. But only in a narrow angle. So it's possible to see it rotating, getting dimmer and lighter periodically. But 4 meters is still really really small in interplanetary space...
There are several cameras in and around the Tesla , but the batteries only lasted 12 hours and there are no sattelite dishes, solar panels or other coms devices mounted to broadcast imagery. It's dead now :/
Well it would have been awesome, but would have also increased the complexity of the system and the number of things that could ho wrong. The main mission was the successful launch of the rocket and the separation and navigation of the booster stages, and they needed as much manpower as possible for that. The roadster was the cherry on top.
How exactly would it have added an appreciable amount complexity to put a small solar powered camera on the car? They already put a space suit in there for shits and giggles
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u/gliese946 Feb 07 '18
Does anyone know whether SpaceX has the ability to track the Tesla in space? How long will earth-based telescopes be able to track it? It's probably more reflective than your average space rock...