A historic launch is set to take place from Kennedy Space Center on Tuesday.

• SpaceX Falcon Heavy set for test launch Tuesday
• Falcon Heavy is currently world's most powerful rocket
• Rocket eventually will be used to carry people into space
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SpaceX's Falcon Heavy — right now the world's most powerful rocket — is scheduled to blast off from Launch Pad 39A.

The launch window opens at 1:30 p.m.  

The Falcon Heavy, made up of three boosters and 27 engines, has double the thrust of SpaceX's next largest rocket. Launch Pad 39A was where Saturn V rockets and space shuttles once lifted off.

Next week's test launch will not be manned — the payload will be CEO Elon Musk's Tesla Roadster — which the company aims to put into Mars orbit.

Musk posted a picture on Instagram of the Roadster's surprise passenger -- a figure in white and black named Starman.

Musk has said, however, that the test launch will be risky, and there's a good chance it could fail.

SpaceX will attempt to land the three boosters — two on land and one on its drone ship at sea, so if everything goes as planned, expect several sonic booms.

Eventually, Falcon Heavy rockets will be used to carry commercial satellites — and people — into space. Musk said last year that two customers have paid SpaceX "a significant amount of money" for a trip around the moon.

Spectrum News will have crews at KSC and all along the Space Coast for the Falcon Heavy's maiden launch. We'll have a live stream, Facebook Lives and photo galleries, so count on us for full coverage.