World reacts as Elon Musk’s flying Roadster turns a launch into a spectacle

A dramatic Roadster demonstration

The Roadster drove up a curved ramp, went upside down, then launched, flipped and came down on its wheels. Thrusters beneath the car appeared to help it lift off.

Musk responded, “Well, it worked,” during the livestream. Tesla also played a recorded test showing the car reaching 60 mph in 0.81 seconds.

Tesla and SpaceX engineers collaborated

Musk said engineers from Tesla and SpaceX worked together on the vehicle. He described a system using high-pressure air and thrusters to raise the car from the ground.

Whether such a device could be used legally on public roads remains uncertain. The demonstration prompted discussion about the Roadster’s engineering and its potential purpose.

Tech voices offer mixed reactions

Investor Jason Calacanis said on X that footage of the car looked like science fiction, despite being real. He wondered whether the brief flight could eventually last five, ten or even 30 minutes.

Tech analyst Gene Munster called the display an engineering feat with little commercial value, beyond putting pressure on established automakers. He also viewed it as a possible sign of Musk’s ambition to bring Tesla and SpaceX closer together.

Carmack voices safety concerns

John Carmack, formerly Meta’s virtual reality division chief, questioned the risks of the demonstration. He wrote on X that the test carried a meaningful possibility of an embarrassing failure. Carmack said he would choose the standard model instead, adding that rocket-powered hops were outside his comfort zone.