A recent discovery in space has led to the reidentification of an object that had been lost to telescopes for years. What was initially thought to be an asteroid turned out to be the Tesla (NASDAQ:TSLA) Roadster that SpaceX launched into space in 2018. The car, owned by Elon Musk, was placed aboard the maiden flight of the Falcon Heavy rocket with a mannequin named “Starman” in the driver’s seat. The vehicle had not been observed since shortly after its launch, but new data has brought it back into focus. The unexpected rediscovery has sparked discussion about tracking objects launched into space and their long-term trajectories.
SpaceX launched the Tesla Roadster during the Falcon Heavy’s first mission as a demonstration payload, a practice not uncommon in early spaceflights. In previous reports, various organizations have monitored the car’s journey, including tracking its movements around the Sun and near Mars. However, this latest sighting is the first confirmed observation of the car in years, reigniting interest in its current condition and ultimate fate.
How was the Tesla Roadster rediscovered?
The Minor Planet Center (MPC) at the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics initially classified the object as an asteroid, designated 2018 CN41. A citizen scientist’s submission drew attention to its trajectory, prompting further investigation. Shortly after, astronomers—both amateur and professional—collaborated to confirm that instead of a celestial rock, the object was actually the Tesla Roadster launched by SpaceX. The car remains attached to the Falcon Heavy’s upper stage, as noted by MPC.
What is the current trajectory of the Roadster?
According to tracking data, the Tesla Roadster continues its orbit through the solar system. Simulation platforms such as WhereIsRoadster.com estimate its path based on NASA data, indicating the vehicle is currently moving away from Earth and heading toward Mars. SpaceX previously reported that the car completed its first solar orbit in 2019 and approached Mars in 2020. Unless an unexpected event occurs, it is expected to remain in space for millions of years.
Long-term projections suggest that cosmic radiation, micro-meteoroid impacts, and other space conditions will degrade the Roadster over time. NASA estimates that without intervention, the car will continue floating in space for millions of years before eventually breaking apart. Musk previously suggested that SpaceX might launch a mission to intercept the Roadster, take close-up images, or even retrieve it for further study.
The Roadster’s journey has fascinated both scientists and the public, serving as an unconventional symbol of private space exploration. While the primary objective of the launch was to showcase the Falcon Heavy’s capabilities, the rediscovery of the car highlights the challenges in tracking human-made objects in space. With an increasing number of missions sending items into deep space, there may be a growing need for improved monitoring and cataloging of such objects. As space travel advances, similar cases could provide insight into the long-term behavior of objects left in the cosmos.
