Mashable's Miriam Kramer on Falcon Heavy Launch: "Awe Inspiring"
SpaceX launched its Falcon Heavy rocket Tuesday, making history by sending the largest rocket into space since 1975. CEO Elon Musk tweeting in response to President Trump, "An exciting future lies ahead." Mashable's Deputy Science Editor Miriam Kramer explains what the scene was like on the ground at Cape Canaveral, FL.
"It definitely felt like a historic moment," said Kramer. "It was pretty incredible to see this giant thing fly into space."
Aboard the rocket was Musk's original Tesla roadster. On whether this was as PR stunt, Kramer says it added pizzazz. She said just because it was a publicity stunt doesn't mean it's bad. "I think the Tesla is really fun, and space needs to be a little more fun," said Kramer.
U.S. states could face some hurdles as they experiment with road usage charging programs aimed at one day replacing motor fuel taxes, which are generating less each year, in part due to fuel efficiency and the rise of electric cars.
The U.S. Department of Transportation is awarding almost $1.7 billion in grants for buying zero- and low-emission buses, with the money going to transit projects in 46 states and territories.