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Saturday, October 17, 2026 · UTC
Launches & Rockets

Tesla unveils flight-capable Roadster built with SpaceX thruster technology

The vehicle was demonstrated October 15 at SpaceX's Texas test facility following nearly a decade of delays.

Luisa Marconi
Senior Space Correspondent
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As of 2026-10-17 17:16 UTC. Market figures are as the cited sources reported them at that time and may have moved since. This is news, not investment advice.
Tesla's new Roadster takes to the skies with SpaceX tech
Tesla's new Roadster takes to the skies with SpaceX tech AI illustrationhow this picture was made
MCGREGOR, Texas, Oct. 15, 2026 - Tesla has unveiled a flight-capable version of its Roadster, built with SpaceX rocket technology, after nearly a decade of delays on the vehicle program.[1] The prototype was presented at SpaceX's Rocket Test and Development Center. During the event, the vehicle performed midair flips, ramp launches and upright landings using underbody high-pressure cold-gas thrusters developed jointly by engineers from both companies.[2] [3] [4] Tesla shares rose 4% in pre-market trading to $375 apiece following the unveil.[5]
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What this stands on
  1. Tesla unveiled its new Roadster prototype at SpaceX's Rocket Test and Development Center in McGregor, Texas, after nearly a decade of delays. · TechRadar
  2. During the 2026-10-15 event, the Tesla Roadster demonstrated midair flips, ramp launches, and safe landings using SpaceX-developed cold-gas thrusters. · Fox Business
  3. The demonstrated Roadster used underbody high-pressure thrusters, developed with SpaceX engineers, to perform inverted travel, airborne launch, and a full flip before landing upright. · businessinsider.comUnited States
  4. Tesla engineers collaborated with SpaceX rocket experts to integrate high-pressure cold-gas thrusters and multi-mode suction systems into the new Roadster. · Deccan HeraldIndia
  5. Tesla shares rose 4% in pre-market trading to $375 apiece after the company unveiled a redesigned Roadster powered by rocket-style thrusters developed in collaboration with SpaceX. · mint
They publish from United States, India. 3 could not be placed by their address. None is an official body: that part stands on reporting, not on the underlying document or transcript.