Elon Musk unveiled a new Tesla Roadster equipped with thrusters during a livestreamed event at a SpaceX facility in Texas, asserting that "flying cars are real." The demonstration showed the vehicle launching from a ramp, inverting to cling to the surface, and then rolling 180 degrees midair to land on its wheels. While the sector has long struggled with technical and regulatory hurdles, Musk described the new model as a result of collaboration between Tesla and SpaceX.
The launch event took place at a SpaceX test facility in Houston, with the demonstration broadcast on Tesla's X account. During the show, the car appeared to defy gravity by clinging to an upside-down ramp before flying off the end. Musk stated that the vehicle is powered by "ultra high-pressure air tanks" that propel it into the air. He added that while the vehicle's "success is not guaranteed," he believed "it will probably work."
Musk indicated that the vehicle is scheduled to enter production in 2028. He framed the development as a milestone for the intersection of automotive and aerospace engineering, referring to it as "what happens when you have a collaboration with the world's best car company and the world's best rocket company." The concept of flying vehicles dates back to 1917, when American aviation pioneer Glenn Curtiss debuted a prototype, but serious modern contemplation has only increased recently with advances in electric motors and high-performance batteries.
This announcement follows a week in which SpaceX agreed to buy licenses for radio airwaves to support its Starlink Mobile satellite business. The company stated that this move would enable it to provide cellular service inside buildings, allowing it to "become a major mobile carrier in the U.S." In an Oct. 8 social media post, Musk described the spectrum acquisition as "the last critical piece of the spectrum puzzle needed for SpaceX to provide complete phone coverage in America." The developments highlight Musk's continued expansion of his companies into new industries, even as he maintains a close but sometimes tumultuous relationship with President Trump.