Tesla Roadster Takes Flight in SpaceX Thruster Test

When Musk first floated the idea of equipping a Tesla with rocket thrusters during a 2018 appearance on The Joe Rogan Experience, the host famously laughed off the concept as science fiction. Musk insisted on the possibility, later detailing to Jay Leno in 2020 how cold-gas thrusters—hidden behind a license plate—could generate enough force to push the boundaries of vehicle performance. The recent demonstration in Texas confirms that the engineering behind these claims has moved from theory to a functional prototype capable of extreme maneuvers.

While the sight of a car defying gravity suggests a breakthrough, the path to a consumer vehicle remains long. Musk has slated the redesigned Roadster for production in 2028, though it is unclear if the volatile thruster technology will reach the final retail model. The current test proved the vehicle’s capability under controlled conditions, yet translating this into a practical, safety-compliant car for ordinary drivers presents significant regulatory and technical hurdles. For now, the stunt serves as a public validation of Musk’s long-standing, often-mocked vision for the future of electric sports cars.