Last night, SpaceX dished out what will likely become an iconic image for decades to come — Elon Musk’s personal cherry-red Tesla Roadster flying off into space, as the earth slowly receded in the background. But the Tesla also had a passenger. A mannequin, whom Musk had dubbed Starman, had been strapped to the front seat. And while the internet was in awe of SpaceX’s achievement, Starman quickly became a meme.
People hoped he was having a nice ride.
https://twitter.com/Just_Shiv/status/961140734513565709
And thought that a car would look rather out of place in space.
https://twitter.com/JKRLMazur/status/960995039802400768
Lots of Uber jokes were made.
"where tf my uber driver taking me" #SpaceX #Starman #FalconHeavy 🚀🚗🌎 pic.twitter.com/RUeFVAGSAL
— Chief Canuck (@ChiefCanuck) February 6, 2018
My uber driver seems to be taking the long way home….rating: 1 star. #spaceX #starman #spacegeek pic.twitter.com/Nsb2iHEtoG
— Josh Frank (@jfrank76) February 7, 2018
People also took digs at Apple Maps.
https://twitter.com/missafayres/status/961006322341756928
And put Starman in popular memes.
https://twitter.com/rudy_mustang/status/961088392879624197
Indians too got into the act, comparing him to some famous drivers.
Elon Musk should have checked inside mannequin's helmet before #FalconHeavyLaunch#Starman pic.twitter.com/FNy4EKNN1z
— No one (@sanmistryious) February 7, 2018
And people came up with conspiracy theories.
https://twitter.com/warrenellis/status/961004270253428742
 Pop culture references, too, were aplenty.Â
"Roads? Where we're going we don't need roads…"#FalconHeavy #Starman pic.twitter.com/AKZRP5YrQ4
— Matt Deras (@mattderas) February 6, 2018
https://twitter.com/syberghost/status/960997358489227265
But people ultimately applauded the achievement — humanity might be currently embroiled in wars and petty feuds, but even a billion years from now, Starman will still be in space, gently floating away in his red Tesla.
https://twitter.com/DirkMaggs/status/961149746411864065