Investor Who Bet Tesla Would “Take Flight” Logs 900% Gain After Roadster Demo

Roadster demonstrates midair flip with thrusters

Polymarket position value jumps tenfold

Musk says production will begin in 2028

A prediction-market trader who bet Tesla’s new Roadster would take flight posted an unrealized gain of about 900% after the company showed the vehicle flipping through the air. A position built with about $19,000 was valued at more than $190,000.

On Oct. 15, Polymarket showed that one trader had invested about $19,200 in a market asking whether the Tesla Roadster would remain airborne for at least one second. After the demonstration, the position’s value jumped to about $192,400. Unrealized profit was estimated at about $173,100.

The Roadster demonstration was held that day at a SpaceX test facility in Texas. Tesla showed the new Roadster climbing a ramp, rotating in midair and returning to the ground. Gas thrusters mounted on the vehicle helped power the flip and landing.

The Roadster uses cold-gas thruster technology developed jointly by Tesla and SpaceX. Instead of burning fuel, the system generates thrust by releasing compressed gas. A suction device mounted underneath the vehicle was also used in the ramp-climbing demonstration.

Separately, Tesla shares closed down 1.29% at $362.44 in regular trading that day. At the event, Chief Executive Officer Elon Musk said Roadster production would begin in 2028.