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Giant Gun to Shoot Payloads into Space?
13 Oct
Summary
- Startup Longshot uses repurposed gun technology for space launches.
- Company is developing massive guns, one reaching 3,000 feet.
- Potential for drastically cheaper space payload delivery.
A California-based startup, Longshot Space Technology, is pioneering a radical new method for space launches by repurposing large-scale gun technology. Inspired by concepts dating back to Jules Verne, the company aims to create reusable ground-based accelerators that mimic the function of a rocket's first stage.
Longshot's co-founders, CEO Mike Grace and CTO Nato Saichek, have secured approximately $20 million in venture funding. They are developing multi-injection guns, based on historical designs, to accelerate projectiles to near-hypersonic speeds. Current tests involve a 70-foot gun, with plans for a 328-foot gun and eventually a 3,000-foot cannon capable of launching 220-pound payloads up to Mach 8.
The company also sees revenue potential in providing hypersonic testing services for the U.S. military. Grace envisions these guns being integrated into military installations for testing advanced interceptor systems, offering a cost-effective alternative to current methods.
Beyond military applications, Longshot's ultimate goal is to achieve significantly lower costs for space payload delivery, potentially as low as $50 per kilogram. This economic advantage could revolutionize industries like orbital data centers, which require drastic price reductions to become viable.
