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Tesla showcases flying Roadster with rocket thrusters
Published : Friday, 16 October, 2026 at 2:24 PM
Observer Online Report
Collected Photo
Dreams of a flying car reached new heights after Tesla showcased its next-generation Roadster lifting off the ground using rocket thrusters during a recent demonstration.
The electric sports car briefly lifted off and landed safely during the test, fueling fresh debates over the future of personal transport. However, questions remain unanswered regarding its flight capabilities, final pricing, regulatory licensing, and safety rules.
The demonstration took place on Thursday (October 15) at SpaceX's testing facility in McGregor, Texas. The Roadster performed a stunt by launching into the air off an inverted ramp and leaping over another vehicle.
Tesla did not release verified metrics regarding the car's flight height, horizontal distance, or airborne duration. Reports described the event as a brief aerial stunt rather than sustained flight.
Reports noted the car reached an elevation of roughly 21 meters on the ramp. However, this figure reflects its position on the ramp rather than confirmed free-flight altitude.
Tesla has yet to prove whether the Roadster can clear major obstacles, maintain sustained flight, or cover significant distances without landing.
The company has not announced final rules regarding driver licensing, training, or insurance for operating thrusters. Requirements will depend on how regulatory bodies classify the final design and its flight features.
If approved as a standard motor vehicle, a regular driver's license may suffice. However, operating it as an aircraft could trigger aviation regulations based on flight type and jurisdiction.
Insurance coverage also presents hurdles. Standard auto insurance policies may not cover accidents or damage occurring during aerial leaps, requiring insurers to develop specialized risk assessments.
Tesla has not confirmed the final retail price for the redesigned Roadster. In 2017, Tesla set a base price of $200,000 for the second-generation Roadster, though that figure may not apply to the new model.
Reports on reservation fees list a $50,000 deposit for the performance version and $250,000 for the thrust version. The rocket version features an ambitious flight system designed for a limited audience and reportedly comes with a single seat.
Tesla's website notes that the rocket version is not approved for public roads. The company set a tentative production timeline for 2028, though delivery dates remain uncertain.
The proposed system utilizes cold-gas thrusters developed in collaboration with SpaceX. Unlike traditional rocket engines, these thrusters release high-pressure compressed gas to generate impulse rather than burning fuel.
While thrusters can create powerful short bursts, making the system practical and safe for daily driving remains a significant challenge.
Demonstrating brief lift-off does not make a vehicle a practical alternative to conventional transport. A flying car requires proven reliability, robust safety systems, reasonable operating costs, and compliance with road and aviation laws.
-SA
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Editor : Iqbal Sobhan Chowdhury
Published by the Editor on behalf of the Observer Ltd. from Globe Printers, 24/A, New Eskaton Road, Ramna, Dhaka.
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Published by the Editor on behalf of the Observer Ltd. from Globe Printers, 24/A, New Eskaton Road, Ramna, Dhaka.
Editorial, News and Commercial Offices : Aziz Bhaban (2nd floor), 93, Motijheel C/A, Dhaka-1000.
Phone: PABX- 41053001-06; Advertisement: 41053012; 01793317829, 01550707291, E-mail: [email protected], [email protected] Online: email: [email protected] 41053014; 01550707297 Advertisement: 01550707296
