Longshot Aims to Launch Cargo into Orbit with Gun Technology

Rockets have long been the primary means of reaching space, but their complexity and cost present significant challenges. Now, a Start-up from California is suggesting a radically different approach by using a large gun to propel cargo into orbit.

Innovative Space Solution

Longshot Space Technology, based in Alameda, is leading the charge with this unconventional idea. Founded by CEO Mike Grace and CTO Nato Saichek, the company is looking to revolutionize space launches after securing nearly $20 million from various investors.

Grace highlights the difficulty in advancing frontier technologies, stating, “You can either develop something novel or tackle a tough challenge, but not both.” He sees a path to success by utilizing proven technologies, akin to how SpaceX effectively scaled NASA's rocket innovations. Longshot aims to apply similar principles to multi-injection guns to achieve high-speed launches.

How It Works

The concept involves replacing the first stage of traditional rocket systems with a ground-based accelerator. Imagine a robust steel pipe laid horizontally, connected to high-pressure gas tanks along its length. As a projectile travels down this barrel, the tanks will release gas at calculated intervals, accelerating the projectile to impressive speeds—currently reaching Mach 4 in tests.

Currently, Longshot is testing a 70-foot gun with a six-inch diameter at its facility near Barstow, California. Following this, the firm plans to construct a larger, 140-foot-long gun, ultimately leading to an ambitious design for a 328-foot gun capable of launching payloads at speeds hitting Mach 8.

Military Applications and Future Plans

The development of these advanced guns won't just benefit space exploration; they also present opportunities for military applications. Longshot has secured contracts for hypersonic testing with the U.S. military, showcasing how this technology could simulate missile interception practice at a fraction of the cost compared to traditional methods.

Grace poses a compelling question: “Wouldn’t it be beneficial to avoid spending $30 million simulating a hypersonic threat?” His vision includes potential installations of these guns at military bases, facilitating the testing of new defense technologies more economically.

Aiming for the Stars

Despite its current focus on hypersonic testing, the ultimate ambition for Longshot is to put significant payloads into orbit. The team is confident their design can eventually reach speeds of up to five kilometers per second (over 11,000 mph), enough for payloads to escape Earth’s atmosphere with their own propulsion systems.

However, achieving this aim will require a 10-kilometer-long gun, which poses logistical challenges such as finding a suitable location for construction. Saichek humorously notes that, “The hard part isn’t building the system; it’s finding approval for a design like this.”

If Longshot succeeds, the economics are enticing: The company envisions launching payloads into space for a shockingly low cost of $50 per kilogram. Given that competitors need prices to fall around $300 per kilogram for their projects to be viable, Longshot could easily undercut the market.

Adjustments will need to be made for launching craft under such conditions, yet satellite operators may be tempted to experiment at a fraction of the traditional cost.

Those interested in exploring Longshot's technology further can discover more at Disrupt in San Francisco, running from Tuesday to Thursday. This event will feature a variety of startups, pitches, and influential guest speakers.