A Turkish amateur astronomer mistakenly identified a Tesla Roadster in space as an asteroid, prompting a brief investigation by scientists. Launched by SpaceX in 2018 with a mannequin named Starman, the Roadster has since traveled approximately 5.6 billion kilometers. It now raises concerns about unregistered space objects, highlighting the need for better transparency in space activities. Meanwhile, initiatives like the European Space Agency’s Clearspace-1 aim to address space debris issues. The Roadster’s future remains uncertain.
The Curious Case of the Tesla Roadster in Space
In early January, a surprising revelation emerged from the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics in Cambridge, Massachusetts. A Turkish amateur astronomer discovered an intriguing object that was just 240,000 kilometers away from Earth—closer than the Moon itself. This finding led scientists to monitor the object for potential collision risks with our planet.
However, less than seventeen hours later, the excitement faded as researchers at Harvard retracted the discovery. The object, initially designated as 2018 CN41, turned out not to be an asteroid but rather a car—a Tesla Roadster to be precise.
The Journey of the Tesla Roadster
This Tesla Roadster was launched into space by Elon Musk’s SpaceX on February 6, 2018, aboard the Falcon Heavy rocket. The vehicle, which had a mannequin named Starman sitting in it, was intended as a test payload demonstrating the capabilities of the Falcon Heavy. This event was a significant milestone for both Musk and Tesla enthusiasts, showcasing that electric vehicles could be exciting and innovative.
The Tesla Roadster, which made its debut in 2010, aimed to prove that electric cars could be stylish and high-performing rather than mere utilitarian vehicles. Manufactured by the British sports car maker Lotus, this two-seater convertible featured 6,800 laptop batteries and an electric motor, achieving impressive power without the typical engine or exhaust system.
With a power output of 215 kilowatts and a lightweight design of just 1,200 kilograms, the Roadster quickly garnered attention and became a symbol of the electric mobility movement. After producing a limited run of 2,450 units, Tesla shifted its focus to the Model S sedan, leaving the Roadster to orbit the cosmos.
Despite its unusual journey through space, the Tesla Roadster serves as an intriguing reminder of its unique properties. According to whereisroadster.com, it has now become the electric vehicle with the highest mileage in history—though it hasn’t traveled on any roads. As of now, Starman is drifting away from Earth at a staggering speed of 6,433 kilometers per hour, having covered approximately 5.6 billion kilometers since its launch.
Unfortunately for the Roadster, it does not qualify for any repairs, and its battery is long expired, leaving Starman without his entertaining playlist of David Bowie’s “Space Oddity” or Douglas Adams’ “The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy.” With no current images available, the car continues its solitary journey through the vastness of space.
The incident involving the mistaken identity of the Tesla Roadster has sparked a broader discussion about the lack of transparency regarding space activities conducted by both governmental and private entities. While the U.S. Space Force monitors most satellites, many unregistered objects pose risks to future missions and efforts to identify hazardous asteroids.
Astrophysicist Jonathan McDowell emphasized the potential consequences of unregistered objects, illustrating that a costly space probe could end up discovering nothing of value. This situation echoes previous mistakes, such as when the Harvard-Smithsonian Center mistakenly identified the ESA’s Rosetta space probe as an asteroid in 2007.
In light of these growing concerns, the American Astronomical Society (AAS) is advocating for a centralized registry for space activities, promoting transparency and accessibility for all participants in space programs. An anonymous Turkish astronomer, who initially discovered the object, expressed disappointment that 2018 CN41 was not an asteroid but appreciated the experience nonetheless.
Meanwhile, the European Space Agency’s Clearspace-1 project aims to tackle the issue of space debris head-on. This initiative plans to utilize a space tug with robotic arms to retrieve decommissioned satellites and bring them back into the Earth’s atmosphere, with a trial mission set for 2028.
As for the Tesla Roadster, its fate remains uncertain. Whether it will eventually be captured by a robotic arm or continue its lonely voyage through space is yet to be determined, as SpaceX has not commented on the matter.