Tesla demonstrates thruster-equipped Roadster, targets 2028 production
publishers 170articles 222first reported 14 Oct, 01:36 UTCdeveloping since 14 Oct · 14 editionstop 25 #10
Tesla demonstrated a redesigned, thruster-equipped Roadster at SpaceX’s facility in McGregor, Texas, on Oct. 15, showing the prototype driving upside down on a curved ramp, rotating in midair and jumping over a row of Tesla vehicles.
The car uses a fan-driven ground-sealing system to create downforce and compressed-air thrusters developed with SpaceX. Tesla engineering vice president Lars Moravy said the system carries about 600 liters of rechargeable compressed air. The most capable “Rocket” version has 10 thrusters and is intended for brief aerial maneuvers rather than sustained flight; Tesla has not disclosed how high, far or long it can remain airborne. The company says that version is not approved for public-road use.
The Federal Aviation Administration told CBS News and Politico that the vehicle does not meet its definition of an aircraft and therefore would not require FAA airworthiness certification. Other regulatory requirements remain unresolved. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis said the state would make the Roadster legal, although state action alone cannot satisfy federal vehicle-safety rules.
Tesla now targets production in 2028, eight years after the original launch goal. The redesigned car seats no more than two people and has a claimed range above 300 miles, down from the four seats and 620-mile range promised when the second-generation Roadster was unveiled in 2017.
Tesla is accepting reservations, including deposits of up to $250,000. Its reservation agreement says delivery is not guaranteed, pricing and specifications may change, and deposits are refundable.
HOW THIS STORY WAS MADE
Written from 8 articles, 6 with the publisher's own text; 8 independent newsrooms once syndicated copies count as one; this version written 126 h after the record first saw the story; the editor kept it as written.
- Publishers
- 170
- Source articles
- 222
- Given to the writer
- 8, 6 with the article's own text
- Independent newsrooms
- 8
- This version written
- 126 h after the record first saw the story
- Second model (editor)
- kept as written
- Publication gate
- passed
- Human review
- none
WHAT THE EDITOR DID
The second model checked the writer's draft against the same sources and published it as written.
Written by a language model from the sources above, then checked by a second model that may only cut, attribute or correct. How it works →