Summary of Key Points
This month, Tesla and SpaceX will unveil the Roadster 2 sports car at their rocket testing facility, equipped with SpaceX’s cold gas thrusters. This vehicle is capable of short-term hovering (although its flying capabilities are limited) and represents a deep collaboration between the two companies. It serves not only as a rescue effort for Tesla to address declining sales and stock prices and to refresh its brand image but also signals an important integration within Musk’s business empire. By leveraging technology transfer and resource synergy, SpaceX is incorporating Tesla, xAI, and other components into a new vision that encompasses space, AI, and the earth, potentially paving the way for a potential merger between the two companies.
What is the “flying” Roadster?
The most remarkable feature of this car is its installation of 10 SpaceX cold gas thrusters—devices used in rockets to adjust their attitude by expelling high-pressure gas to generate thrust. During demonstrations, no one is inside the vehicle; spectators must stand hundreds of meters away due to the thrusters’ loud noise, which can be damaging to hearing. However, don’t expect it to fly like in science fiction movies: it can only hover for a few seconds to a dozen seconds at most, reaching a height of just a few meters. Once the propellant is depleted, it becomes an ordinary electric car. Its price is likely to be in the millions of dollars, and it may be intended solely for sale to die-hard fans as a novelty item for racing tracks.
The development process was quite challenging. Initially, there were two design concepts, but Musk chose a carbon fiber monocoque body from scratch (similar to that of top-tier supercars), and engineers were even hired from Lamborghini. It wasn’t until 2024, with the addition of SpaceX’s vice president of rocket engineering, that the thruster technology was integrated into the vehicle. The project’s code name paid tribute to the SR-71 Blackbird reconnaissance aircraft, and the final version is a two-seater sports car with butterfly doors.
Why is Tesla eager to develop this “flying” car?
Tesla has been facing difficulties recently: sales have been sluggish since 2026, and its stock price has dropped by nearly 25% (while the NASDAQ has risen by 15%) despite significant investment in initiatives like Robotaxi and Optimus robots. The Roadster, being a flagship model with a loyal fan base, could generate buzz and help restore Tesla’s image as a cutting-edge brand.
However, this is more than just a branding effort; it also marks a shift in Musk’s business strategy. Tesla’s new products have struggled to sell, and the Model Y has undergone numerous revisions, indicating that car manufacturing is no longer the core of its narrative. Meanwhile, SpaceX’s progress in aerospace and AI is growing, and this collaboration aims to align Tesla with SpaceX’s strategic focus.
Why did Musk previously criticize flying cars?
Ten years ago, Musk criticized flying cars, arguing that they would be a mess in the sky (with objects falling and causing noise, and being unable to operate in bad weather). His criticism was directed at common multi-rotor designs (like those from Xpeng and EHang), preferring thrusters derived from rocket technology as a more “serious” approach to flight. Since the initial unveiling of the Roadster 2 in 2017, and the announcement of adding SpaceX thrusters in 2018, Musk has been refining its capabilities, eventually settling on a simple hovering function.
Why is SpaceX involved in building this car?
SpaceX’s involvement in this project serves several purposes:
1. To tell new stories to investors: SpaceX’s stock price has halved from its peak, and its commercial launch activities have reached a plateau, with revenue from Starlink declining while Mars missions remain distant. A story about the civilian application of aerospace technology is needed to boost investor confidence.
2. To facilitate technical collaboration: The two companies are already closely collaborating in areas such as AI (with xAI merging into SpaceXAI), chips (jointly building a Terafab chip factory), and energy (SpaceX purchasing Tesla’s Megapack batteries). This is their first collaboration around a consumer product.
3. To pave the way for a potential merger: Musk didn’t rule out a merger during earnings calls, and the Roadster 2’s branding and launch at SpaceX’s facility serve as a preview of this possibility. If this model proves successful, the exchange of technology and talent between the two companies could become a reality.
Musk’s new empire vision: Connecting heaven, AI, and earth
Musk is aiming to integrate various assets across different companies (rockets, satellites, AI, cars, robots) into a cohesive ecosystem:
- Space: Starlink is a foundational communication network, with plans for future developments in space-based AI computing power.
- AI: SpaceXAI (formerly xAI) provides models and applications (e.g., Grok integrated into Tesla’s infotainment system).
- Earth: Tesla’s electric vehicles, Robotaxi, and Optimus robots serve as physical components that connect AI to the real world.
The Roadster 2 is a key element in this vision, bridging aerospace technology (SpaceX), AI (SpaceXAI), and automotive manufacturing (Tesla). It may be the “last car” produced under Tesla’s independent identity but marks SpaceX’s expansion from a car manufacturer to an integrated ecosystem that spans space, AI, and earth.
While the flying Roadster might not sell in large quantities, its significance goes beyond being just a vehicle. It represents a declaration of transformation for Musk’s business empire, where the focus shifts from cars to an intelligent ecosystem centered around SpaceX, spanning the realms of space, AI, and the earth.
In summary, the Roadster 2 is more than just a novelty car; it symbolizes the transition of Musk’s business from a traditional automotive company to a comprehensive smart ecosystem that encompasses multiple domains.