Tesla Roadster flight demonstration hints at potential SpaceX merger

Tesla's new Roadster showcased flight capabilities using SpaceX rocket technology, including a Rocket version featuring 10 nozzles and 600 liters of nitrogen gas capacity. The demonstration highlighted technical integration between the two companies as their boards review a potential merger that could grant Elon Musk 56% voting rights.

Tesla's recently unveiled sports car model, the Roadster, demonstrated its technological prowess by performing flight maneuvers. This event is analyzed as being more than a simple new car reveal; it was a visual demonstration of the technical integration between Tesla and SpaceX, led by Elon Musk, and the potential for a future merger between the two companies.

Flight principles of the Roadster using nitrogen gas thrust

The unveiled Roadster is divided into three versions: a performance model for ordinary roads, a Thrust model equipped with propulsion units at the rear, and a Rocket model capable of flight with propulsion units installed throughout the body. The event drew attention with the Roadster performing maneuvers such as hanging upside down from a ramp or twisting its body while jumping in mid-air. Notably, it also demonstrated acceleration performance that reduces 0 to 100 km/h to 0.8 seconds by emitting something from the rear of the vehicle.

The core technology enabling this flight and control is the "Cold Gas Thruster." According to a Tesla engineering manager, this device does not use a combustion method involving ignition, but instead utilizes the reaction of spraying highly compressed nitrogen gas through nozzles. The system uses nitrogen filled into carbon-fiber-wrapped high-pressure tanks at 690 atmospheres, which is approximately 300 times the tire pressure. The Thrust version carries a 200-liter tank in the trunk, while the Rocket version is a specialized vehicle modified up to the passenger seat to feature a total of 600 liters of tank capacity and 10 nozzles.

However, clear technical limitations remain. For the Thrust version, the gas injection time is only about 5 seconds, and it requires more than 2 hours at a dedicated facility for recharging. Additionally, the vehicle's ability to hang upside down from a ceiling is due to a "Suction System" that sucks air from under the body to press it against the floor. This operates on a principle similar to a vacuum cleaner, utilizing four fans of approximately 200kW each.

A 'product catalog' of SpaceX technology, a show demonstrating merger synergy

The technical configuration of this Roadster is a result of collaboration between Tesla and SpaceX. SpaceX was responsible for the flight package, while Tesla manufactured the battery, powertrain, and suction system. The Cold Gas Thrusters and high-pressure tanks (COPV) used in the Roadster are proven technologies that SpaceX has already been using for the attitude control of rockets. This suggests that the event was strongly characterized as a "product catalog" that gathers and displays the technological capabilities of the companies owned by Musk, rather than being a solo display of Tesla's technology.

This technical integration aligns with the merger plans for Tesla and SpaceX. Musk has previously stated that the boards of both companies have formed a special committee to review a merger. Synergy from a merger is expected to occur in the fields of AI, robotics, and space data centers. SpaceX is already pursuing the construction of space-based AI data centers by merging with the AI company XAI; if Tesla, which possesses autonomous driving AI and mass production capabilities, joins this effort, a massive integrated empire will be formed.

Musk mentioned that a merger between the two companies would offer significant advantages in AI, computer chip design, and robotics. If a merger is finalized, the voting rights of the integrated company are estimated to reach approximately 56%, which is expected to be an important turning point in terms of strengthening Musk's control and securing investment resources for Tesla. Ultimately, the flight of this Roadster is interpreted as a message to investors to convey Musk's "full-stack" vision of directly creating everything from the ground to space, and from hardware to the "brain" (AI).

Source: original video (YouTube)