Elon Musk, founder of the prominent American company Tesla, has made a surprising new prediction regarding the flying ‘Roadster’ car.
In a post on the social media platform X, Elon Musk wrote that in the future, this vehicle could potentially be seen flying over the Snake River or the Grand Canyon—at speeds exceeding half the speed of sound—before landing safely back on the ground.
It is worth noting that Tesla recently unveiled its new electric sports car, the ‘Roadster,’ which possesses the capability to fly.
Upon the release of videos showcasing the car, people were left stunned by its remarkable performance.
In footage shared on social media by Elon Musk and Tesla, the car is seen not only driving upside down on a specialized ramp but also lifting into the air, performing an aerial rotation, and landing safely back on the ground.
The Ability to Take Flight Using Rocket Technology
The new electric sports car, the ‘Roadster,’ was developed jointly by engineers from Tesla and SpaceX.
The vehicle is equipped with ‘cold gas thrusters’—developed by SpaceX—which propel the car and enable it to lift off the ground by expelling pressurized gas.
This mechanism differs from that of conventional flying vehicles; unlike standard aircraft, it does not rely on wings for sustained flight. Instead, the thrusters generate the force required for brief aerial maneuvers.
Therefore, it would be inaccurate to equate this recent demonstration with sustained, continuous flight.
Will This Vehicle Be Able to Fly on Public Roads?
For now, this demonstration does not prove that the roadster is ready to fly on public roads.
Such aerial activity on public roads would require addressing several issues—including obtaining safety and legal clearances—which is why the car’s recent demonstration in Texas was conducted in a controlled environment.
“In the future, this vehicle could potentially be seen flying over the Snake River or the Grand Canyon—at speeds exceeding half the speed of sound—before landing safely back on the ground.”
— Elon Musk, post on XWhat the Demonstration Shows
The footage shared by Elon Musk and Tesla shows the car driving upside down on a specialized ramp, lifting into the air, performing an aerial rotation, and landing safely back on the ground.
The vehicle uses cold-gas thrusters developed by SpaceX, which expel pressurized gas to generate the force required for brief aerial maneuvers. Unlike standard aircraft, it does not rely on wings for sustained flight.
As a result, the demonstration should not be equated with sustained, continuous flight—and it does not yet prove the Roadster is ready to fly on public roads.
Regulatory and Safety Questions
Aerial activity on public roads would require addressing several issues, including obtaining safety and legal clearances. That is why the recent demonstration in Texas was conducted in a controlled environment.
For now, Musk’s prediction remains a vision of the future rather than a confirmed capability for road use.
Why it matters: The Roadster demonstration shows how rocket technology from SpaceX is being adapted for a production electric vehicle—an unusual engineering crossover that could redefine performance expectations for road cars. However, brief thruster-powered maneuvers are not the same as sustained flight, and public-road use would require significant regulatory approval.
Note: This article is based on Elon Musk’s post on X, videos shared by Musk and Tesla, and company statements. Final specifications, pricing, and availability have not yet been confirmed by Tesla. Please refer to official Tesla announcements for the latest information.
