Drudge Retort: The Other Side of the News
Tuesday, August 04, 2026

Tesla has recalled its Cybertruck 11 times to fix issues such as exterior trim panels falling off and an accelerator pedal that can become stuck, but NASA has nonetheless decided the rust-prone vehicle is up to the job of rescuing astronauts if trouble strikes on the launchpad of a forthcoming crewed mission.

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... Muskmobiles will get the job currently performed by the Mine Resistant Ambush Protected vehicle (MRAP), a heavily armored military personnel carrier that can survive small arms fire and even the effects of a mine explosion. Several companies make MRAPs, and the US military operates dozens of different models tailored to different missions.

NASA uses MRAPs as launchpad getaway cars in case mission controllers decide astronauts or other personnel involved in rocket launches must make a rapid exit. In 2015, the aerospace agency described the MRAPs it uses as possessing "armor is so thick that each door weighs 600 pounds" and said the vehicles have "the sound and feel of a bank vault" and can therefore "function as a bunker on its own, even if it stays put."

During the event, media asked if SpaceX has modified the Cybertrucks. Joel Montalbano, deputy associate administrator at NASA's Human Spaceflight Mission Directorate, said he was not aware of any modifications. Tesla says the Cybertruck is made of stainless steel and is therefore "tough on the outside to keep you safe on the inside."

The company also trumpets "Cabin windows and glass roof have shatter-resistant armor glass that can handle the impact of hail the size of a baseball (or an actual baseball)." When launching the Cybertruck, Elon Musk claimed the glass was impervious to heavy metal balls, but his demo of that strength went comically awry. ...


#1 | Posted by LampLighter at 2026-08-04 03:31 PM | Reply

You'll definitely flee a lot faster in the Cybertruck than in an MRAP. Not a fair drag race.

#2 | Posted by sitzkrieg at 2026-08-04 04:06 PM | Reply

You'll definitely flee a lot faster in the Cybertruck than in an MRAP. Not a fair drag race.
#2 | Posted by sitzkrieg at 2026-08-04 04:06 PM

It's definitely a Snatch Game challenge.

#3 | Posted by redlightrobot at 2026-08-04 04:46 PM | Reply

@#2 ... You'll definitely flee a lot faster in the Cybertruck than in an MRAP. ...

Hopefully what you're fleeing is not an explosion.

A MRAP would be better in that scenario.

#4 | Posted by LampLighter at 2026-08-04 05:04 PM | Reply

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