NASA selects Tesla Cybertruck for launchpad emergency escapes
NASA has chosen the Tesla Cybertruck to serve as the emergency evacuation vehicle for astronauts on upcoming launchpad missions, replacing heavily armored military personnel carriers. Revealed during a briefing for the SpaceX Crew-13 flight scheduled for September 2026, the decision aligns NASA with similar vehicle usage by SpaceX, despite previous consumer recalls involving the electric pickup truck.
Key points
- NASA announced it will replace military-grade Mine Resistant Ambush Protected vehicles with Tesla Cybertrucks for emergency launchpad evacuations.
- The announcement was made during a Monday media briefing discussing the upcoming SpaceX Crew-13 mission, carrying four astronauts to the International Space Station no earlier than September 12, 2026.
- The newly selected electric trucks will substitute for heavily armored MRAPs that featured 600-pound doors and served as secure bunkers during launch emergencies.
- The transition follows adoption of the same electric pickup trucks by Elon Musk's rocket company, SpaceX, for its own launch operations.
- The vehicle selection comes despite the Tesla Cybertruck having faced 11 recalls addressing problems such as detached exterior trim panels and stuck accelerator pedals.
NASA has selected the Tesla Cybertruck to serve as the emergency evacuation vehicle for astronauts during forthcoming launchpad operations, replacing the heavily armored military personnel carriers previously relied upon for rapid exits.
The agency disclosed the vehicle transition during a Monday press briefing detailing preparations for the SpaceX Crew-13 mission. That flight, utilizing a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket, is scheduled to transport four astronauts to the International Space Station no earlier than September 12, 2026.
The electric pickup trucks will take over a security role previously handled by Mine Resistant Ambush Protected vehicles, known as MRAPs. These military-grade transporters were historically praised by the aerospace agency for possessing ultra-thick armor and doors weighing 600 pounds, allowing them to function as stationary bunkers during launch anomalies.
While NASA adopted the new transport following its utilization by Elon Musk’s SpaceX during private launches, the decision arrives amidst ongoing scrutiny of the electric vehicle. The Tesla Cybertruck has accumulated 11 official recalls addressing various mechanical and structural defects, including detached exterior panels and jammed accelerator pedals.
Sources
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