In a celestial case of mistaken identity, astronomers recently found themselves red-faced after announcing the discovery of a new near-Earth asteroid, only to realize it was actually Elon Musk‘s cherry-red Tesla Roadster cruising through space. This cosmic confusion highlights the growing challenges in distinguishing between natural space objects and human-made debris orbiting our planet.
A Stellar Mix-Up
On January 2, 2025, the International Astronomical Union‘s Minor Planet Center (MPC) added a new object, designated 2018 CN41, to its list of near-Earth asteroids. The supposed space rock was identified by an unnamed amateur astronomer in Turkey using years of publicly available data. However, just 17 hours later, the MPC issued a retraction after the citizen scientist realized their error.
The object in question was none other than the Tesla Roadster launched into space by SpaceX on February 6, 2018, as part of a publicity stunt for the maiden voyage of the Falcon Heavy rocket. The car, complete with a spacesuit-clad mannequin dubbed “Starman” in the driver’s seat, has been on a solar orbit for the past seven years.
The Roadster’s Cosmic Journey
Since its launch, Musk’s Tesla has completed approximately 4.5 trips around the sun, traveling at a mind-boggling speed of about 45,000 mph (72,000 km/h). According to the tracking website whereisroadster.com, the car has now exceeded its initial 36,000-mile warranty by a factor of 100,000.
However, experts believe that after years of exposure to intense solar radiation and impacts from micrometeorites, the once-gleaming Roadster is likely unrecognizable. The car’s outer layers have probably been stripped away, and poor Starman may be worse for wear.
A Growing Problem in Space Observation
This incident is not an isolated case. The MPC has previously misidentified several spacecraft and pieces of space debris as asteroids, including the European Space Agency’s Rosetta spacecraft and NASA’s Lucy probe.
Dr. Jonathan McDowell, an astronomer at the Harvard and Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics, warns that such confusion could lead to costly errors. “Worst case scenario, you spend a billion [dollars] launching a space probe to study an asteroid and only realize it’s not an asteroid when you get there,” he explained.
The Need for Better Space Traffic Management
As more objects are launched into space, the risk of misidentification increases. While tracking of objects in Earth orbit is mandatory, there are currently no regulations requiring the same for spacecraft and debris that escape Earth’s gravity.
The American Astronomical Society emphasized in a 2024 statement that “such transparency is essential for promoting space situational awareness, reducing interference between missions, [and] avoiding interference with observations of natural objects.”
Asteroid Confusion: Elon Musk’s Tesla in Space
This cosmic mix-up serves as a reminder of the complexities involved in space exploration and observation. As we continue to venture further into the final frontier, improved tracking systems and international cooperation will be crucial to avoid similar confusion in the future.
For now, Starman and his Roadster continue their journey through the solar system, a testament to human ingenuity and a potential source of astronomical befuddlement for years to come.
