NASA puts astronauts’ lives in the hands of Tesla’s flaky Cybertruck

Key Points:

• Tesla’s Cybertruck, despite 11 recalls for issues like loose trim and a sticking accelerator, has been selected by NASA to replace Mine Resistant Ambush Protected vehicles (MRAPs) as launchpad rescue vehicles for crewed missions.
• NASA currently uses heavily armored MRAPs to quickly evacuate astronauts during launches, but the Cybertruck is favored for being faster, easier to drive with gloves, and eliminating the need for a separate MRAP crew.
• The decision was announced during a NASA event for the upcoming SpaceX Crew-13 mission to the ISS, scheduled no earlier than September 12, 2026; the mission will use a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket and Cybertrucks for launchpad safety.
• NASA officials confirmed no known modifications to the Cybertrucks for this role, relying on Tesla’s claims of stainless steel construction and shatter-resistant armor glass, despite past public demonstration failures.
• Crew-13 will include astronauts from NASA, the Canadian Space Agency, and Roscosmos, focusing on advanced research aboard the ISS, while SpaceX’s strong launch record in 2026 suggests the Cybertruck rescue role may remain untested.