Astronomers Thought They Found an Asteroid —Turns Out, It’s Musk’s Space Tesla Roadster
28th Jan 2025
In a surprising twist, an object recently thought to be a near-Earth asteroid turned out to be far more terrestrial: Elon Musk’s cherry-red Tesla Roadster, which SpaceX launched into orbit in 2018.
The discovery stirred excitement within the astronomy community after an amateur astronomer in Turkey observed what appeared to be an asteroid moving through space. The revelation that it was the Tesla Roadster sheds light on the complexities of space tracking and the growing challenge of distinguishing between natural celestial objects and human-made debris.
A Bold Experiment: Tesla Roadster’s Space Journey
In February 2018, SpaceX conducted the inaugural flight of its Falcon Heavy rocket. As a symbolic test payload, Musk’s personal Tesla Roadster, complete with a mannequin named “Starman” at the wheel, was launched into space. The iconic car was equipped with cameras to capture stunning views of Earth as it embarked on its endless journey through the solar system.
Fast forward to January 2025, and the Roadster once again made headlines. An amateur astronomer spotted an object travelling within 150,000 miles (240,000 km) of Earth. Initially classified as a near-Earth object and named 2018 CN41, the discovery quickly gained attention from experts.
Elon Musk’s Starman Fooled Astronomers
Doubts about the object’s origin arose when astronomer Jonathan McDowell analyzed its trajectory. He determined it matched the Falcon Heavy’s upper stage path, which carried the Tesla Roadster.
Shortly after, the Minor Planet Center (MPC) at the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics retracted the asteroid classification.
“The next day, it was pointed out the orbit matches an artificial object, Falcon Heavy Upper Stage with the Tesla Roadster. The designation 2018 CN41 is being deleted,” the MPC confirmed in a press release.
Are We Losing Track of Space Junk?
This incident highlights a critical issue: the lack of a comprehensive database for tracking human-made objects in space. As the number of artificial objects in orbit increases, the risk of misidentifications grows, potentially hindering efforts to identify hazardous asteroids. This isn’t the first time spacecraft have been mistaken for asteroids. NASA’s Wilkinson Microwave Anisotropy Probe, the Rosetta mission, and others have also been misclassified in the past. Experts stress the importance of developing a robust tracking system to prevent future confusion and safeguard space exploration.
Looking Ahead
As space missions become more ambitious, the need for precise tracking systems grows more urgent. The Tesla Roadster’s mistaken identity serves as a reminder of the challenges posed by space debris and the necessity of better coordination among global space agencies. By addressing these issues, the scientific community can ensure smoother operations in space and a clearer understanding of what’s out there.
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