An object initially identified as a hazardous asteroid turned out to be Elon Musk’s Tesla Roadster, which SpaceX launched in 2018.
Also Read: Elon Musk’s Tesla Mistaken for Hazardous Asteroid Near Earth
Spotted by an amateur astronomer, the object—designated 2018 CN41—came closer than the Moon’s orbit, sparking collision concerns. However, the Minor Planet Center later confirmed it was the Falcon Heavy payload, featuring the “Starman” mannequin.
The incident highlights how artificial objects can be mistaken for celestial bodies in space.
