Scientists calculate the chance of a space-faring Tesla car crashing to Earth

The likelihood of a space accident is very high, but in the very distant future.

Six years ago, Ilon Musk’s SpaceX company made a bright PR stunt by placing a Tesla Roadster as a test payload on the then-new Falcon Heavy rocket. The car with a Starman dummy was successfully placed into orbit and continues to orbit the Sun.

Since its launch on 6 February 2018, Tesla has made 4.1 revolutions around our star. Scientists decided to calculate whether there is a chance that the car that has turned into, in fact, a near-Earth asteroid could eventually fall on any of the planets.