Falcon Heavy: SpaceX set to test 'most powerful rocket'

SpaceX is set to conduct a test launch of what aims to become the world's most powerful rocket in use, the Falcon Heavy, which could one day be used to take supplies to the Moon or Mars.

The space company wants to bring a car - SpaceX CEO Elon Musk's Tesla roadster - a mannequin in a spacesuit and a playlist consisting of David Bowie's "Space Oddity" into the orbit of Mars.

The highly anticipated launch on Tuesday will be broadcast on SpaceX's YouTube channel. Weather permitting, it will take place somewhere between 18:30 and 21:00 GMT.

"About 2.5 hours to T-0 for Falcon Heavy. Watch sim for highlight reel of what we hope happens. Car actually takes 6 months to cover 200M+ miles to Mars", Musk, who is also the CEO of electric car company Tesla, said on Twitter.

"[The] payload will be my midnight cherry Tesla Roadster playing Space Oddity. [The] destination is Mars orbit. [It] will be in deep space for a billion years or so if it doesn't blow up on ascent," he added.