The new Tesla Roadster will soon come with the “SpaceX option package” — which includes 10 small rocket thrusters!
No, it will not take you to Mars or even fly you to the nearest grocery store — but, according to Elon Musk, it will dramatically improve acceleration, top speed, braking & cornering. And it might shave a few milliseconds off the 1.9 seconds it takes to accelerate from 0 to 60 mph.
Replying to inquisitive queries, Elon offered some more details on the rocket thrusters.
The design of the thrusters comes from the Composite Overwrapped Pressure Vessels (COPV) which are used for spacecraft steering and course corrections by SpaceX. The thrusters will use ultra compressed air, not fuel, to provide quick bursts of thrust. The Tesla system will use an electrical pump, running off the main batteries, to compress air and store it in 10 COPV bottles, arranged around the car.
Here is a summary of the additional tweets -
Note, gas contained would be ultra high pressure air in a SpaceX rocket COPV bottle. The air exiting the thrusters would immediately be replenished whenever vehicle pack power draw allowed operation of the air pump, which is most of the time.
Total energy stored even in ultra compressed air is low vs battery, but power output is insane. The composite overwrapped pressure vessel (COPV) is most advanced ever made. It’s what SpaceX is qualifying for NASA crewed missions. Extremely robust — literally bulletproof.
Trade is just that Roadster becomes a 2 seater instead of a 2+2. COPV in place of the kid seats, which is prob wise for many reasons.
(It is) not recommended for urban environments. (Noise being one reason).
One can expect that the operation of the thrusters will be software controlled, activating automatically as and when needed. The thrusters are located not just at the back of the car but all around it, enabling them to individually provide forward, backward, sideways and downward thrust.
But why?
In the words of Elon Musk, who is never given to hyperbole or product-promotion -
Intent of new Tesla Roadster is to beat gas sports cars on every performance metric by far, no exceptions, thus transferring the “halo crown” effect gas cars have as the top speed leaders over to pure electric.
Next gen Roadster will be absolutely out of this world. For those who love to drive, there is no finer car in history and we don’t think there will be another.
Here is another look at the gorgeous and powerful Tesla Roadster -
Will it be a Rocket Car?
No, the Tesla roadster will not be anything like this. The primary purpose of the thrusters is not extra speed, but extra acceleration and improved handling and safety.
What music will you play while driving your rocket power assisted Roadster?
This?
Or perhaps this :-)
Other Compressed-Air-Assist Vehicles
Compressed air thrusters to improve stability and safety are not entirely new. Bosch has been experimenting with similar thrusters for motorcycles, that provides extra traction to prevent sliding during cornering -
Please keep in mind that this is not a gimmick, it is serious out-of-the-box thinking. Think of the positive possibilities — faster braking when needed to avoid collisions, better traction and control under slippery conditions and faster cornering on race tracks. Perhaps, even vehicle attitude control when the car “flies” over a hump. And no, it is not coming as an option for the family sedan, yet; this technology is currently aimed at sports cars.
So, are you ready to send in the order for the SpaceX Package? The Tesla roadster is scheduled for release in 2020 and will set you back a couple of hundred grand.