Tesla to Demonstrate Roadster With SpaceX Thrusters in August

Tesla is preparing to unveil its long-delayed second-generation Roadster as early as this month, with a demonstration planned at SpaceX's rocket test site in McGregor, Texas. The event is expected to feature a limited-edition version of the sports car equipped with SpaceX-developed cold gas thrusters, which will be remotely operated due to the noise and force generated by the system.

According to a report from The Information, citing three people familiar with the plans, the demonstration could take place later in August. The vehicle will be operated without a driver, and spectators will be kept several hundred yards away for safety. The thrusters, which generate lift by releasing pressurized gas, are loud enough to potentially damage eardrums.

The upcoming event marks a significant milestone for a vehicle first announced in 2017. Tesla has delayed the Roadster's launch multiple times since then, with the program evolving from a high-performance electric car into a carbon-fiber hypercar. In 2022, the company abandoned an initial design based on Model S Plaid components in favor of a new, ultralight carbon-fiber tub architecture, a decision that required hiring specialized...