Tech · October 17, 2026
With Tesla Roadster debut, Elon Musk shows "flying cars are real"
On October 15, 2026, Tesla CEO Elon Musk unveiled a new Roadster model equipped with a cold-gas thruster system developed in collaboration with SpaceX. During a demonstration in Waco, Texas, the vehicle used high-pressure gas boosters to perform mid-air maneuvers, including a 180-degree roll. While Tesla claims the 'Rocket' trim of the car is capable of flight-like movements, the company noted that these thrusters are not approved for public road use. Analysts view the vehicle as a 'brand halo' project rather than a significant revenue driver, as production is not expected to begin until 2028.
Read the original coverage
- CBS NewsMainstream
With Tesla Roadster debut, Elon Musk shows
Read at CBS News ↗ - EngadgetTrade
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Read at Engadget ↗ Tesla Debuts 2026 Roadster ‘Flying’ Electric Sports Car
Read at The New York Times ↗
Reported by multiple outlets
- Tesla reintroduced the long-delayed Roadster at an event in Waco, Texas, on October 15, 2026.
- The vehicle uses high-pressure air tanks and thrusters developed in collaboration with SpaceX.
- The thruster system is not approved for public road use.
- The car is scheduled to go into production in 2028.
- The car demonstrated a mid-air flip and landing during the launch event.
Reported by only some outlets
- The vehicle features ten nozzles placed throughout the car to fire compressed air for stabilization.
- Tesla offers three trims: Performance (no thrusters), Thruster (rear thrusters only), and Rocket (full flight system).
- Reservation for the base model requires a $5,000 deposit, while the Rocket model is invitation-only.
- Lockheed Martin and Raytheon previously developed similar thruster-based maneuverability for Missile Defense Agency projects.
- SpaceX recently agreed to buy radio airwave licenses to expand Starlink Mobile cellular service.
Industry-friendly coverage frames it as…
Coverage highlights the engineering collaboration between Tesla and SpaceX as a 'brand halo' that strengthens the case for a unified engineering platform and showcases advanced propulsion technology.
Skeptical / consumer coverage frames it as…
Reports note that the vehicle is not approved for public road use, faces significant regulatory hurdles, and is dismissed by analysts as a non-factor for revenue growth.
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