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After several delays and severe wind conditions pushing back the launch window, the Falcon Heavy will finally leave Earth at 3.45pm EST (8.45pm GMT).

The livestream above, brought to you directly by SpaceX, will kick off just 20 minutes before lift off.

And there is ample reason to watch the online feed, because it will put you right in the middle of the action.

Broadcast straight from Launchpad 39A at the Space Centre in Cape Canaveral, Florida, the livestream will follow the Heavy as it blasts off.

The feed will feature various HD camera angles from the launchpad, the rocket itself and SpaceX’s mission control.

The rocket manufacturer said: “When Falcon Heavy lifts off, it will be the most powerful operational rocket in the world by a factor of two. 

“With the ability to lift into orbit nearly 64 metric tons (141,000 lb) – a mass greater than a 737 jetliner loaded with passengers, crew, luggage and fuel – Falcon Heavy can lift more than twice the payload of the next closest operational vehicle, the Delta IV Heavy, at one-third the cost. 

“Falcon Heavy draws upon the proven heritage and reliability of Falcon 9.”

The rocket will attempt to deliver a cherry-red Tesla Roadster into orbit around Mars, if its test flight is successful.

SpaceX founder Elon Musk teased that a successful mission will pave the way for future manned journeys but also admitted taht he just wanted to spice things up a bit.

The South African billionaire said: “Test flights of new rockets usually contain mass simulators in the form of concrete or steel blocks. That seemed extremely boring.

“Of course, anything boring is terrible, especially companies, so we decided to send something unusual, something that made us feel.

“The payload will be an original Tesla Roadster, playing Space Oddity, on a billion year elliptic Mars orbit.”

Mr Musk now confirmed that the launch countdown will begin in less than an hour.

The Falcon Heavy is a 20-story tall rocket with an impressive array of 27 engines and three Falcon 9 boosters.

The Falcon 9 is SpaceX’s signature reusable rocket and the space company will attempt to bring the boosters back to Earth after launch.

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