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Musk Unveils Flying Roadster Prototype With 10 Cold-Gas Thrusters

By Drooid · Oct 17, 2026, 2:06 PM UTC · How we work

Summary

Musk Unveils Flying Roadster

Elon Musk unveiled a next-generation Roadster in Texas that can fly using thrusters.
The prototype employed ten cold-gas thrusters powered by 600 liters of compressed air.
It climbed an inverted ramp and stayed upside down using suction generating up to 2 g.
It launched over Teslas, performed a barrel roll, and landed on its wheels.
Tesla offers Performance and Thrust variants with $50,000 and $250,000 deposits, plus an invite-only Rocket version.

Summary

DeSantis Praises Lift-off

FAA officials said any airborne capability would be classified as an aircraft and face strict safety rules.
The lift-off video reached 1.7 million views on X within hours, prompting online debate.
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis praised the Roadster’s lift-off in a post on X after the Texas demo.
Smithsonian vertical-flight curator Roger Connor warned the hybrid design would likely perform poorly as both car and aircraft.

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Musk Unveils Flying Roadster

Elon Musk unveiled a next-generation Roadster in Texas that can fly using thrusters.
The prototype employed ten cold-gas thrusters powered by 600 liters of compressed air.
It climbed an inverted ramp and stayed upside down using suction generating up to 2 g.
It launched over Teslas, performed a barrel roll, and landed on its wheels.
Tesla offers Performance and Thrust variants with $50,000 and $250,000 deposits, plus an invite-only Rocket version.

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