Tesla demonstrates flying‑capable Roadster at SpaceX test site in Texas

The prototype, unveiled Thursday, combined rocket thrusters and a ground‑hugging fan system, with production slated for 2028.

By Felo News Desk · Published Fri, 16 Oct 2026 04:46:25 GMT

On Thursday, Tesla unveiled a prototype of its next‑generation Roadster at SpaceX’s Rocket Test and Development Center in McGregor, Texas. The demonstration included a short airborne lift, a flip maneuver and an acceleration run that hit 0‑60 mph in under a second, according to both Wired and The Independent.

What happened

The two‑seat Roadster lifted a few dozen feet using ten compressed‑air thruster nozzles, then performed a controlled flip before landing back on the ground. After the flight, the car accelerated along the test track, reaching 60 mph in less than one second, beating Elon Musk’s target. No driver was on board during the flight, a safety precaution Musk cited.

What the reports add

Wired noted that the vehicle’s brief airborne phase was “an awkward jerking maneuver” and highlighted that the Federal Aviation Administration would have jurisdiction over any machine that leaves the surface of the earth, quoting aviation expert Scott Miller. The Independent provided technical detail, stating the Roadster uses compressed air rather than rocket fuel, with ten thruster nozzles and a fan system that creates downforce to improve cornering grip, claiming the car can generate more than 2 g of lateral force.

What was said

Elon Musk told the audience that the demo was conducted without a human occupant “to make sure we don’t kill anyone,” as reported by Wired. He also acknowledged the regulatory hurdles, saying, “I’m not sure it’s necessarily legal in all jurisdictions.” Scott Miller, an airline pilot and lecturer at San José State University, told Wired that the FAA “has jurisdiction over any machine that leaves the surface of the earth.” The Independent quoted Musk saying the production version will be “quicker still” and that manufacturing is pencilled in for 2028.

How it came about

The Roadster’s evolution builds on Tesla’s earlier sports‑car strategy, which was first chronicled in Felo’s September 15 article Tesla’s Roadster: From tZero Demo to Electric Car Pioneer. That piece traced the model’s origins from the early tZero prototype to its role as a halo vehicle for the brand. The current prototype adds aerospace‑grade propulsion, a collaboration between Tesla and SpaceX, echoing the company’s broader push to merge automotive and space‑flight technologies.

Key facts

Tesla demonstrated a Roadster prototype that lifted off the ground using compressed‑air thrusters in McGregor, Texas. (wired.com)
The prototype accelerated to 60 mph in under one second, beating Musk’s target. (independent.co.uk)
Production of the Roadster is planned for 2028. (independent.co.uk)
The FAA would have jurisdiction over any vehicle that leaves the earth’s surface, according to aviation expert Scott Miller. (wired.com)