Tesla Roadster flips in midair with SpaceX rocket thrusters

Tesla’s new Roadster has turned a car launch into a scene that looks like science fiction. At a Texas event, the Tesla sports car climbed a curved ramp, flipped in midair and landed with help from SpaceX style thrusters. The bigger question is what comes next.

Tesla Roadster’s flying display

As reported by TechCrunch, Tesla showed its redesigned second generation Roadster at an event near Waco, Texas, on October 15. The car drove up a curved ramp and held to it while upside down. It then used fans and thrusters to turn, leave the ramp and return safely to the ground. It also jumped over several Tesla vehicles, including the Cybercab, Cybertruck, Semi, Model Y and Model 3.

Elon Musk called it a car that could perform such moves while still being a road vehicle. But the display was remote controlled. Musk said the team used remote control to avoid putting anyone inside the car during the stunt. The videos showed a planned course, not free flight across a city.

How the thrusters work?

The car used ten cold gas thrusters linked to tanks holding about 600 litres of compressed air. When gas shoots out through small nozzles, it pushes the car in the other direction. That force can help lift, turn or slow the vehicle for a short time. It is not the same as a normal rocket burning fuel.

A suction system also helps the car grip the ramp, even while upside down. The combination is meant to keep the vehicle attached to a surface before the thrusters take over for the brief airborne move. The final system will need much more real world testing. The reveal featured a sports car equipped with SpaceX rocket thrusters. The company link has been part of Musk’s plan for years. In 2018, he spoke about adding small thrusters to the Roadster to improve acceleration, braking and cornering.

Price of the new Tesla, the plans and more questions

Tesla now says the Roadster will enter production in 2028, nearly eleven years after the second generation was first shown in 2017. Three versions are planned: Performance, Thrust and Rocket. Performance is a two seat road model, Thrust adds rear thrusters, and Rocket is a one seat version with a full flight system.

Deposits are $50,000 for Performance and $250,000 for Thrust, while Rocket is offered by invitation only. Tesla has not confirmed a final purchase price. The company claims the car will travel more than 230 miles per hour and offer around 300 miles of range. Those are company claims, not results buyers can yet test.

Legal questions remain. Tesla’s site says the flying version is not permitted on public roads. Musk also said the car may not be legal everywhere and has previously said safety was not the main goal of the Roadster. In practice, road rules, safety checks and the limits of compressed air may decide how much of this stunt reaches customers. Until deliveries begin, the Roadster remains a promise, not a normal car you can buy and drive today.

Author’s opinion

The Roadster’s stunt is exciting, but a short, controlled flight is not the same as a useful flying car. Tesla still has to prove its safety, price and delivery plans. For now, the show raises more questions than it answers.

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