SpaceX thrusters just made a Tesla Roadster 'fly' (and Elon Musk's car is still out there in space)
Tesla unveiled its next-generation Roadster during a live demonstration on Oct. 16 at SpaceX's rocket-testing facility in McGregor, Texas.
Tesla unveiled its next-generation Roadster during a live demonstration on Oct. 16 at SpaceX's rocket-testing facility in McGregor, Texas. Chief Executive Officer Elon Musk showed off a prototype that used rocket technology to lift off the ground and execute a midair barrel roll. The vehicle relies on ten cold-gas thrusters fed by 600 liters of compressed air stored in carbon fiber vessels.
According to Tesla Engineering Vice President Lars Moravy, the compressed air weighs about 250 kilograms and fills usable voids throughout the chassis. During the event, an empty Roadster driven by a mannequin in a SpaceX spacesuit used these thrusters to jump over six vehicles, including a Tesla semi-truck cab.
Musk first teased a SpaceX option package for the Roadster in 2018, years after the vehicle's initial 2017 announcement and delayed 2020 target. The new car also features a fan suction system on its underside to hold it against surfaces during sharp turns. Tesla aims to begin producing the Roadster in 2028, though regulators are not expected to certify the flying version for public roads.
The rocket-equipped variant is available by invite only, while Performance and Thrust versions require deposits of $50,000 and $250,000, respectively.
Total vehicle pricing remains
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Original publication: 16 October 2026 23:08
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