When was the last time you heard of a rocket launch? You often hear about Elon sending stuff to space? ISRO missions etc.
How do these companies launch satellites? Rockets, right?
This pic is a Paris Gun used to throw cannons built by Nazi Gerrmany during WW1. Longshot is building something similar.
These guys at Longshot are building an alternative to rockets. They are building Space Cannons (yes, literal cannons).
Everyone knows that Launching stuff into space is usually very expensive.
So, how this works is- Instead of like the traditional cannons, which get one explosive push at the start (which can reach upto the speed of 2km/s), this is a multi-injection system meaning- inside the long barrel there are multiple side injectors, this super gun keeps adding energy along the way, allowing it to reach extreme speeds—up to 8.5 km/s.
Yes, the barrel is super long (500m).
Why so long?
Because the projectile would get enough time and speed to potentially cross earth’s atmosphere. They’re also using Compressed gas like nitrogen and Helium to mostly focusing on safety & to make it more simpler.
Founders
LongShot guys – Mike Grace and Nathan Saichek- Mike has served the US Army & has worked at NASA & Nathan has 20+years in experience in aerospace startups – research & engineering
Market
They initially plan to address the hypersonic testing for clients like the US Department of Defense since the US government is actively funding hypersonic research. This will generate some cash to experiment and build Low Earth Orbit satellite launch systems.
They are planning to target the $50B satellite launch market + dominate in-space servicing in the coming years + reduce the cost of to-space transportation.
In the short term, Longshot is focused on building a hypersonics test system using a scaled-down version of their technology in order to generate revenue. This system will enable them to test payloads at speeds between Mach 5 and Mach 15.
The long-term goal is to launch satellites into low Earth orbit (LEO). While launch is the initial plan, they intend to use that leverage to grow the business into a suite of in-space logistical services like fuelling and downlink.
Vision
They aim to be not just a launch provider, but a provider of in-space services (like fuel, logistics, etc.) to other space companies. By building launch capabilities, they aim to drive down the cost of getting materials to space.
I think these guys are testing their technology in mid 2025 in some desert in Nevada.
Trendline
This is interesting because this idea of shooting stuff into space was also mentioned by Jules Verne in his 1865 novel ”From Earth to the Moon”.
The implementation of this – Nazi Germany had built this multi-injection sorta stuff, but during WorldWar. The idea of this at first seems pretty unsexy, boring and traditional. But, since sending out rockets is expensive this can kind of be a quick, cheap alternative fix for sending stuff to space. These guys have their prototype testing in mid of 2025.
Macro
I feel, as the world is moving more and more towards the search of life in extraterrestrial environments and mainstream companies like SpaceX are innovating in the Space Flight scene, but smaller & super ambitious companies like these are thinking in a very different trajectory. There are more and more companies trying to build stuff for the Future in Space – Like Aurelia Institute(Space habitats/ Infra) & Astroscale (On-orbit Servicing).
The point is Longshot guys are not the ones who are standalone in this domain, other startups are also building in & around this domain.
Risk
1. Aiming Challenges
2. High G-force can damage the payload.
3. They can’t shoot this in/around populated areas. Need a large area to execute this
Personal Opinion
When the iPhone was released, people didn’t really trust it. (No physical Keyboard, touchscreen??) But yeah, after a few iterations, in a few years time people suddenly started switching to iPhones.
So, I think the same is the case for this as well.
People don’t really know what they want until they use something, and I feel like only a few people build cool shit and most people just don’t get it.
I see a massive potential in this in the coming future.
Longshot space: https://www.longshotspace.com
Disclaimer: The following analysis is based on publicly available information and personal opinions. It is intended for informational purposes only and does not aim to target or criticize any individual or organization.