Longshot Space's Revolutionary Approach to Space Launch

Longshot Space is a company determined to revolutionize the way we send payloads into space. They're taking a radical departure from conventional rockets and betting on a "kinetic launch system" that leverages a giant, miles-long "gun" to propel payloads to orbit.

• Longshot's system accelerates payloads gradually to hypersonic speeds.
• Their vision is to achieve incredibly low costs per kilogram of payload, potentially as low as $10, a significant decrease compared to the $6,000 per kilogram cost of rockets.

Longshot's Journey to Orbit

The company's concept involves launching payloads using a massive "gun" located in the Nevada desert. They plan to build a 500-meter-long facility capable of propelling 100-kilogram payloads to Mach 5 speeds.

• Longshot has already built a prototype in Oakland, California, but the need for a larger-scale facility led them to Nevada.
• The Nevada site will allow Longshot to demonstrate their launch capabilities to potential customers, including the U.S. Department of Defense.

Leveraging the Power of "Kinetic" Propulsion

Longshot's "kinetic launch system" utilizes an accelerant gas to push a plate carrying the payload forward. The system operates by injecting the gas in multiple stages, generating high speeds.

• They aim to achieve Mach 7 speeds without the need for squeezing the payload.
• The initial Nevada system will feature a 30-inch diameter gun with multiple gas injections.

The Importance of Length in Longshot's System

The significant length of Longshot's "gun" is crucial for maintaining low acceleration forces. This approach is beneficial for both the vehicle and the payload, minimizing stress.

• The goal is to keep gravitational forces to a maximum of 500-600 times the force of gravity.
• An even longer system, potentially around 25 kilometers, could further reduce these forces to 250 Gs.

Longshot's Approach: Filling a Niche in the Space Industry

Longshot's "kinetic launch system" is not intended to entirely replace rockets. Rockets remain suitable for payloads that are sensitive to high g-forces, including humans.

• The size limitation of the "gun" also means it's not suited for larger payloads that require a wider fairing.
• Longshot's primary target customers are those seeking cost-effective and rugged space launches.

Longshot's Future: Funding and Approvals

Longshot recently secured a $5 million funding round, enabling them to proceed with building their Nevada facility. This funding includes contributions from Starship Ventures and Myelin VC.

• The company is currently awaiting approval from the Federal Aviation Administration for construction.
• They also submitted a proposal for the DOD's MACH-TB program, which focuses on hypersonic testing capabilities.

Comparing Longshot's System to Traditional Rockets

Longshot's system generates significantly higher gravitational forces compared to rockets, which typically exert around 3 Gs during launch.

• However, Longshot's system still produces far lower g-forces than other kinetic launch systems, such as those proposed by SpinLaunch.
• SpinLaunch's system aims to accelerate payloads to an astounding 10,000 Gs.

Longshot's "Kinetic Launch System" - A Bold Vision for the Future

Longshot Space's innovative "kinetic launch system" presents a potential game-changer in the space launch industry. Their focus on affordability, ruggedness, and high-speed capabilities could open new possibilities for sending "space payloads" into orbit. With their Nevada facility nearing completion, Longshot is poised to demonstrate their technology and potentially reshape the landscape of space exploration.