Tesla's Roadster Acceleration Claims Analyzed: Using SpaceX's Cold Air Thrusters

https://icaro.icaromediagroup.com/system/images/photos/16082099/original/open-uri20240229-17-jqpbe3?1709235892
ICARO Media Group
News
29/02/2024 19h43

In a recent analysis of Tesla's Roadster acceleration claims, it was revealed that the car can reach 60 miles per hour in less than one second, equating to a maximum of 0.99 seconds. The electric drivetrain of the Roadster provides 27,435 newtons of force, resulting in an acceleration of 1.58 g for the 3,900-pound car. To achieve the 0.99-second goal, an additional 1.183 g of acceleration is needed, which would be supplied by SpaceX's cold air thrusters.

Calculations show that the thrusters would need to provide nearly 20,254 newtons of force, requiring them to expel approximately 27 kilograms of air per second at a speed of around 1,500 mph. Tesla plans to equip the Roadster with 10 thrusters, each expelling 2.7 kilograms of air per second. The compressed air will be stored in a SpaceX pressurized vessel, allowing for a tank size of about 55 liters or 15 gallons.

Refilling the tanks poses challenges, with electric air compressors needing hours to reach the required pressure of 6,000 psi. Despite the technical feasibility of achieving such acceleration, the logistics and costs associated with the process raise questions about the practicality of implementing this system in the Roadster.

Elon Musk's futuristic vision of achieving unprecedented acceleration with the Roadster showcases his commitment to pushing the boundaries of innovation. While the concept of using cold air thrusters from SpaceX is intriguing, the real-world implications highlight the complexities involved in bringing such technology to market.

The Roadster's potential to accelerate in under one second remains an ambitious goal, yet the challenges posed by the use of cold air thrusters underscore the fine balance between theoretical possibilities and practical limitations in the realm of high-performance electric vehicles.

The views expressed in this article do not reflect the opinion of ICARO, or any of its affiliates.

Related