Rocket fires up Chinese scientists' interest

The successful test flight of the US Falcon Heavy, now the world's most powerful carrier rocket, has provided experience to China's space sector as the nation strives to design its own super-heavy rocket, according to industry insiders.

The 23-story jumbo rocket, carrying a Tesla Roadster electric sports car as a mock payload, blasted off at 3:45 pm on Wednesday at Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Florida.

The gigantic launch vehicle, propelled by 27 engines, was developed and built by Space Exploration Technologies Corp, popularly known as SpaceX, and has been regarded as a new milestone of the US space endeavor as well as a remarkable victory for technology tycoon Elon Musk, the head of SpaceX and Tesla.