SpaceX's New Beast of a Rocket, the Falcon Heavy, Is Ready to Launch

It’s to be expected that Elon Musk and his colleagues will want to toast the first launch of SpaceX’s new rocket, the Falcon Heavy, after more than five years of delays. But excitement for the long-awaited launch has gone far beyond space nerds and Musk enthusiasts: The Kennedy Space Center's visitor complex sold out of all its VIP viewing packages, including $195 tickets to a party featuring a champagne toast and a commemorative glass.

The Falcon Heavy—the most powerful operational rocket in the world—is expected to launch for the first time on Tuesday. “I feel quite giddy and happy actually,” Musk said on a call with reporters Monday ahead of the planned demonstration flight, adding that he’ll consider it a success if it doesn’t blow up on the launch pad. The launch, originally scheduled for 1:30 p.m. from Florida, has been delayed to 3:45 p.m. due to high winds, the company said in a Tweet. If it doesn’t launch by 4 p.m., SpaceX has a back-up window on Feb. 7.