Longshot

Longshot is an American space launch startup developing ground-based acceleration systems for hypersonics and space access. Its mission is to move more of the fuel and systems onto the ground, building reusable and cheaper accelerator infrastructure. The company has demonstrated Mach 4.2 acceleration and is scaling toward a 5km long gun. It serves hypersonic testing as its first market and has been selected by numerous defense programs, with support from investors, grants, and defense/aerospace relationships.

Longshot began in 2020 when Mike Grace built the first multi-injection accelerator system in his garage in San Jose, California. In 2021, accelerator development advanced aboard the Maritol, funded by a Direct to Phase II SBIR. In 2023, in Oakland, California, Longshot's 6-in diameter, 60-ft long accelerator achieved Mach 4.2 and was shot over 100 times. In 2024, an AFRL TACFI contract was awarded, with the U.S. Air Force backing Longshot's vision for the future of hypersonic flight. In 2025, Longshot broke ground on a 30-in, 120-ft accelerator at the Alameda Naval Air Base, earned a position on the Golden Dome IDIQ, and received an MDA Phase II. In 2026, Longshot HQ moved to a new home on the Hi...

Not another rocket. A new way to accelerate. Building reusable and cheaper accelerator infrastructure for space access and hypersonics.

• Ground-Based Acceleration

  A reusable acceleration system designed to move more of the launch energy and infrastructure onto the ground.

• Hypersonic Testing

  Affordable, repeatable test capacity for teams developing real-world hypersonic systems.

1. 1Longshot Space Technology | Ground-Based Launch Systemslongshotspace.com
2. 2Company | Longshot Space Technologylongshotspace.com
3. 3Longshotwikidata.org