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Physix Frontier · News Briefing Card (Engadget · Oct 17, 2026)

Tesla's New Roadster Packs Cold-Gas Thrusters, Can Jump and Flip

KEY FACTS

  • Tesla re-unveiled the Roadster on October 15, equipped with cold-gas thrusters that enable jumping and flipping.
  • The car carries 2 high-pressure gas tanks and 10 nozzles, using compressed air jets to move and stabilize the body.
  • The thrusters are standard only on the Rocket version; the Thruster version has them only at the rear, and the Performance version has none.
  • Tesla states the thrusters are not approved for public road use.
  • Lockheed Martin won a $760 million contract in 2004 to develop the MKV, which used thrusters for maneuvering; the program was terminated in 2009.

KEY DATA

$760 millionContract Value
2Number of Tanks
10Number of Nozzles

PHYSIX OBSERVATION

Tesla has brought missile defense technology down to the supercar level. Although it cannot go on the road, it demonstrates the potential of thrusters in the consumer space. Cold-gas propulsion is safer and could drive the development of flying car technology.

Source: Engadget report