Tesla's next-generation Roadster arrived at SpaceX headquarters on Wednesday, just under two weeks after the vehicle made its debut by flying down a ramp in Texas. Photos shared by SpaceX engineer Deanna Rice on social media platform X show the new Roadster parked outside the company headquarters, next to the famous Falcon 9 rocket, located at the intersection of Crenshaw Boulevard and Jack Northrop Avenue.
Rocket B1019 was the first orbital-class booster to successfully land after its launch on December 21, 2015, when it successfully delivered 11 Orbcomm satellites into orbit and returned to Landing Zone 1 at Cape Canaveral, marking the beginning of SpaceX's reusable rocket program. SpaceX subsequently chose not to reuse the rocket, and after test launches in Florida, the booster was transported to Hawthorne in August 2016 and erected as a permanent monument, an event also reported by Teslarati.
Parking the Roadster, equipped with SpaceX's cold gas thrusters, next to the rocket that initiated SpaceX's landing journey is symbolically significant.
Both the thruster version and rocket version of the Roadster utilize cold gas thrusters supplied by pressure vessels wrapped in composite materials, similar to the type of tanks used by SpaceX on the Falcon 9. Elon Musk stated that this vehicle is a result of collaboration between Tesla and SpaceX engineers. Tesla has listed a 0 to 60 mph acceleration time of less than 0.9 seconds for the thruster version in the details of its three Roadster configurations, while the rocket version completes it in 0.59 seconds.
The base performance version relies on fans and a ground sealing system to enhance grip. Since the event on October 15, Tesla has continued to spotlight the vehicle. Last week, the company released a video showcasing the fighter jet-inspired cockpit of the Roadster, which features a Track Mode screen displaying "Thruster · 5,500 PSI," also mentioned in our report on the Roadster's central display. Musk also indicated that owners will be able to request the vehicle to perform stunts automatically and promised to set up a circular track at Tesla's Texas headquarters.
Tesla Roadster Production to Begin in 2028
This visit comes as Tesla and SpaceX's special committee considers a potential merger, with Musk confirming this step during SpaceX's third-quarter earnings call. The Roadster, based on SpaceX hardware, has become a clear example of collaborative product development between the two companies. Musk stated at the unveiling that production of the Roadster will begin in 2028. Reservations are open, requiring a deposit of US$50,000 (approximately HK$390,000), with the thruster version listed as a limited release and the rocket version available by invitation only.
Tesla stated that the vehicle has not yet received approval for public road use.