Space Kinetic

Electrifying space mobility. Space Kinetic is building more resilient in-space supply lines.

Created: 2022-12-20

Updated: 2024-01-14

Company - Space Kinetic

Founded
Country
2022
USA
Funding
Yes, ?
Website
https://spacekinetic.com/
Social
Space Kinetic

Product/Service - Longbow

Classification
In-Space Transportation
Category
Space Tug
In-Space Logistics
Mass Driver
Fields
Transport Service (In-Space)
In-Space Transportation
Status
Early stage
First launch
Not announced

Under contract for a Phase I SBIR as part of the 2023 Department of the Air Force Open Topic solicitation. Through this effort, we are building sophisticated models for our distributed in-space logistics architecture and are collaborating with stakeholders at both AFRL and Space Systems Command to articulate a broader system-of-systems. This is a key milestone for our product roadmap and complements our ongoing hardware development efforts.

Longbow

We’re building a platform that can electro-mechanically accelerate and propel various payloads without firing a thruster, enabling Space Kinetic to move things through space without directly using consumable propellant.

We are rethinking some of the fundamental assumptions about in-space maneuver, and we believe that our unique approach can enable game-changing dynamic space operations.

We’re calling this system “the Longbow.” At its core, the Longbow is a rotary system that cradles a payload, accelerates it to a predetermined RPM, and then deploys it on a new trajectory. As the payload leaves the rotary arm, it is imparted with an instantaneous velocity change.

The Longbow can be integrated onto a dedicated satellite or other spacecraft and can transport a broad range of payloads based on the kind of mission we’re supporting. The key differentiating factor is that unlike every other in-space mobility solution, we don’t need to fire a thruster and we don’t need to directly use any consumable fuel to impart this velocity change.

Similar Organizations

Space Tug, Orbital Transportation

Absolut System

Concept

Astris, Susie

Space Tug, Orbital Transportation, Space Situational Awareness (SSA)

ArianeGroup (Arianespace)

Development

NEMO

Space Tug

Astrait (Levity)

Development

Quark

Space Tug, In-Space Logistics, Resources - Energy, On-Orbit Servicing, Propellant Refuel Station, Propellant Refilling

Atomos

Development

Pushpak

Space Tug, Orbital Transportation

Bellatrix Aerospace

Development

SpaceDrone

Transport Service (Re-Entry), Space Tug, Reusable Satellite, Microgravity Flight Service (Reusable Satellite)

BlackStar Orbital Technologies

Early stage

Blue Ring

Transport Service (Earth-LEO), Transport Service (LEO-GEO), Persistent Platform, Space Tug, Robotic Space Station, In-Space Logistics, Space Logistics Platform, In-Orbit Computing, In-Space Mobility

Blue Origin

Development

Square Rocket

Resources - Asteroid Mining, Microgravity Workspaces, Space Tug, Active Debris Removal (ADR)

Bradford Space (Deep Space Industries)

Development

Space Tug, Transport Service (LEO-GEO), Transport Service (LEO-Moon), In-Space Logistics

Cislunar Space Development Company

Dormant

ClearSpace-1

Active Debris Removal (ADR), Space Tug

ClearSpace

Development

Transport Service (LEO-GEO), Space Tug

Coactum

Development

Transport Service (LEO-Moon), ISRU (In Situ Resource Utilization), Space Tug, In-Space Logistics

Crow Industries

Concept

ION

Space Tug, In-Orbit Computing, Transport Service (Earth-LEO), Orbital Transportation, In-Space Logistics

D-Orbit

Active

Active Debris Removal (ADR), Space Tug, Orbital Transportation

Dark

Development

Deep Space Industries

Xplorer, Prospector-1

Resources - Asteroid Mining, Space Tug, ISRU (In Situ Resource Utilization)

Deep Space Industries

Dormant

Chimera

Space Tug, In-Space Logistics

Epic Aerospace

Development, Launched

Space Tug

EsferAtros

Early stage

Reliant

Space Tug

Exolaunch

Development

Space Tug

Space Tug, Orbital Transportation

Exos Aerospace

Dormant

SpaceVan, spacedrop

Space Tug, In-Space Logistics, Orbital Transportation

Exotrail

Demonstrated

Elytra, SUV (Space Utility Vehicle)

Space Tug, Transport Service (LEO-GEO), Orbital Transportation

Firefly Aerospace

Development

Space Tug, Transport Service (LEO-GEO)

GeoJump

Dormant

GTL

Hyperion

Transport Service (Re-Entry), Transport Service (LEO-Moon), Commercial Lander, Commercial Lunar Lander, Space Tug, Orbital Transportation

GTL (Gloyer-Taylor Laboratories)

Early stage

Helicity Drive

Resources - Energy, Space Tug, Nuclear Fusion Power, In-Space Logistics

Helicity Space

Early stage

Hyscab

Space Tug, Orbital Transportation

Hybrogines

Early stage

Mira, LEO Express, Helios

Space Tug, Commercial Lander, Commercial Mars Lander

Impulse Space Propulsion

Demonstrated

Phoenix Orbital Transfer Vehicle

In-Space Manufacturing, Orbital Transportation, Space Tug, Microgravity Flight Service (LEO)

Infinity Space

Early stage

ARCap Module

On-Orbit Servicing, Transport Service (LEO-GEO), Active Debris Removal (ADR), In-Orbit Inspection, Space Tug, Hardware, Docking

Kurs Orbital

Development

Orbiter

Space Tug, Transport Service (Earth-LEO)

Launcher (Vast)

Active, Discontinued, ?

Motus

Space Tug, Orbital Transportation

Liftero (Progesja Space)

Development

Space Tug, In-Space Communications Relay, Transport Service (LEO-Moon)

Lunar Ascent

Early stage

VIA

Space Tug, Transport Service (Earth-LEO), Orbital Transportation, Hardware, Software

Lunasa Space (Lúnasa Space)

Development, Concept

Colibri

Space Tug

MaiaSpace

Development

Vigoride

Space Tug, In-Space Logistics

Momentus Space

Active

Orbital Maneuvering Vehicle (OMV), SL-OMV

Space Tug, In-Space Logistics

Moog

Development

MOONPORT

Moon On-Orbit Nexus Providing Orbital Rendezvous and Transportation (MOONPORT)

Space Tug, On-Orbit Servicing, Transport Service (LEO-Moon)

MOONPORT

Concept

SUPREME

Hardware, Space Tug, In-Space Logistics

Neutron Star Systems

Development

Satko

Space Tug, On-Orbit Servicing, Active Debris Removal (ADR)

Orbital.Express

Development

Space Tug, In-Space Logistics

Parabilis Space Technologies

Concept

Space Truck

Space Tug, On-Orbit Servicing, In-Space Manufacturing, In-Space Assembly, Transport Service (Re-Entry), Orbital Transportation

Plasmos

Cancelled, Development

Space Tug, Transport Service (LEO-GEO)

porkchop

Cancelled

Photon

Space Tug

Rocket Lab

Demonstrated

IOSHEXA

Space Tug, Transport Service (Earth-LEO), Active Debris Removal (ADR)

SAB Launch Services

Development

AstroLab

Space Tug, Active Debris Removal (ADR), On-Orbit Servicing, In-Space Logistics

Scout Aerospace

Early stage

Meteoroid Complementary Descent Module, ASTREO

Space Tug, Transport Service (Re-Entry), In-Space Logistics

Sidereus Space Dynamics

Concept

Space Tug

Space Tug, Transport Service (LEO-GEO)

Skyrora

Development

Space Tug

SmallSpark Space Systems

Concept

S4-SLV

Transport Service (LEO-Moon), Space Tug, Transport Service (LEO-GEO), Orbital Transportation

SmalSspark Space Systems

Concept

Modular Transport System (MTS)

Space Tug, Transport Service (Earth-LEO), Transport Service (LEO-GEO), Transport Service (LEO-Moon)

Space Castle Solutions

Concept

Commercial Space Station, Space Tug, Space Tourism Activities, Space Solar Power

Space Island Group

Dormant

OT-S, Optimus-1

Space Tug, In-Space Manufacturing, In-Space Logistics, Transport Service (LEO-GEO), In-Space Mobility, Active Debris Removal (ADR), In-Space Assembly, Space Situational Awareness (SSA)

Space Machines Company

Development

Orbital Logistics Vehicle (OLV)

In-Space Manufacturing, In-Space Assembly, Space Tug, Transport Service (LEO-GEO), Lunar Electric Grid

Spacebilt (SkyCorp)

Development

Smart Drone

Space Tug, Orbital Transportation, On-Orbit Servicing, Active Debris Removal (ADR), Robotic Arm

SpaceDrone

Early stage

SHERPA

Space Tug, In-Space Logistics

Spaceflight (firefly)

Cancelled, Acquired, Active, ?

Black Bay

Space Tug, Transport Service (LEO-GEO), Orbital Transportation, Propellant Refilling, Propellant Refuel Station, Reusable Satellite

SpaceRyde

Dormant, Bankrupt

Space Tug, In-Space Logistics, Active Debris Removal (ADR)

SpaceTug (Hyoristic Innovations)

Early stage

STRANNIK-1, STRANNIK-2

Space Tug, Transport Service (LEO-GEO), Transport Service (LEO-Moon)

SR Space (Success Rockets)

Cancelled

Otter

Space Tug, On-Orbit Servicing, Satellite Life Extension, Active Debris Removal (ADR), Transport Service (LEO-GEO), Hardware

Starfish Space

Development, Launched

Start, Cis-Lunar Transfer Vehicle (CLTV), IMAGIN-e

Space Tug, On-Orbit Servicing, Propellant Refilling, Propellant Refuel Station, In-Orbit Computing

Thales Alenia Space

Development

ThinkPlatform-1

Commercial Space Station, Space Construction Company, Microgravity Flight Service (LEO), On-Orbit Servicing, Space Tug

ThinkOrbital (Think Orbital)

Development

Worker Bee, Sutter Space Telescope

Space Tug, Space Situational Awareness (SSA), Resources - Asteroid Mining, Propellant Refuel Station, Space Mining, In-Space Manufacturing, ISRU (In Situ Resource Utilization), Propellant Refilling, Active Debris Removal (ADR)

TransAstra (Trans Astronautics Corporation)

Development

LOLA, LUCAS, OSSIE

Transport Service (LEO-Moon), Commercial Lunar Lander, Space Tug, In-Space Logistics

UARX

Early stage, Development

ULA

ACES

Transport Service (LEO-Moon), Commercial Lunar Lander, Space Tug, In-Space Logistics

ULA (United Launch Alliance)

Concept

XCRAFT

Space Tug, In-Space Logistics, Beyond-LEO Remote Sensing

Xplore

Development, Concept, ?

Quark

Space Tug, In-Space Logistics, Resources - Energy, On-Orbit Servicing, Propellant Refuel Station, Propellant Refilling

Atomos

Development

Blue Ring

Transport Service (Earth-LEO), Transport Service (LEO-GEO), Persistent Platform, Space Tug, Robotic Space Station, In-Space Logistics, Space Logistics Platform, In-Orbit Computing, In-Space Mobility

Blue Origin

Development

Space Tug, Transport Service (LEO-GEO), Transport Service (LEO-Moon), In-Space Logistics

Cislunar Space Development Company

Dormant

Transport Service (LEO-Moon), ISRU (In Situ Resource Utilization), Space Tug, In-Space Logistics

Crow Industries

Concept

ION

Space Tug, In-Orbit Computing, Transport Service (Earth-LEO), Orbital Transportation, In-Space Logistics

D-Orbit

Active

Chimera

Space Tug, In-Space Logistics

Epic Aerospace

Development, Launched

SpaceVan, spacedrop

Space Tug, In-Space Logistics, Orbital Transportation

Exotrail

Demonstrated

Helicity Drive

Resources - Energy, Space Tug, Nuclear Fusion Power, In-Space Logistics

Helicity Space

Early stage

Lunar Logistics Services

Launch Service Brokerer, Marketplace / Store, In-Space Logistics, Cislunar Space Logistics

Lunar Logistics Services (LLS)

Active

Implement Space Product

In-Space Logistics

Lunargistics

Cancelled

Vigoride

Space Tug, In-Space Logistics

Momentus Space

Active

Orbital Maneuvering Vehicle (OMV), SL-OMV

Space Tug, In-Space Logistics

Moog

Development

SUPREME

Hardware, Space Tug, In-Space Logistics

Neutron Star Systems

Development

Space Tug, In-Space Logistics

Parabilis Space Technologies

Concept

Ranger

Transport Service (LEO-Moon), In-Space Communications Relay, In-Space Manufacturing, On-Orbit Servicing, In-Orbit Inspection, Beyond-LEO Remote Sensing, In-Space Logistics, Transport Service (LEO-GEO)

Quantum Space

Development

AstroLab

Space Tug, Active Debris Removal (ADR), On-Orbit Servicing, In-Space Logistics

Scout Aerospace

Early stage

Meteoroid Complementary Descent Module, ASTREO

Space Tug, Transport Service (Re-Entry), In-Space Logistics

Sidereus Space Dynamics

Concept

OT-S, Optimus-1

Space Tug, In-Space Manufacturing, In-Space Logistics, Transport Service (LEO-GEO), In-Space Mobility, Active Debris Removal (ADR), In-Space Assembly, Space Situational Awareness (SSA)

Space Machines Company

Development

SHERPA

Space Tug, In-Space Logistics

Spaceflight (firefly)

Cancelled, Acquired, Active, ?

Space Tug, In-Space Logistics, Active Debris Removal (ADR)

SpaceTug (Hyoristic Innovations)

Early stage

LOLA, LUCAS, OSSIE

Transport Service (LEO-Moon), Commercial Lunar Lander, Space Tug, In-Space Logistics

UARX

Early stage, Development

ULA

ACES

Transport Service (LEO-Moon), Commercial Lunar Lander, Space Tug, In-Space Logistics

ULA (United Launch Alliance)

Concept

XCRAFT

Space Tug, In-Space Logistics, Beyond-LEO Remote Sensing

Xplore

Development, Concept, ?