This post is also available in:
עברית (Hebrew)
The next generation of aircraft and space systems requires the ability to conduct tests at extremely high speeds — yet today, the industry is limited to partial simulations, costly wind tunnels, and in some cases, operational trials that require launching full missiles. The high cost and slow pace hinder critical development efforts, especially at a time when hypersonic systems are becoming a central element in the global technological race.
To address this bottleneck, Moonshot has announced it has raised $12 million to develop an electromagnetic accelerator capable of propelling objects to speeds of up to 8 km per second — roughly 28,800 km/h — using only electricity. Unlike existing test platforms, the accelerator offers rapid activation, comparatively low cost, and high-frequency repeatable testing. This enables controlled hypersonic-condition simulations and engineering validation without relying on missile launches or massive testing facilities.
The company is pursuing two parallel technological tracks: launching payloads into space without chemical propulsion, and creating a hypersonic testing infrastructure for the defense and aerospace industries. In the space domain, the accelerator would enable lifting cargo out of the atmosphere through ground-based acceleration, which could significantly reduce the cost of supplying equipment, fuels, and raw materials to space stations and satellites. Unlike traditional rocket launches, this is a dedicated solution for small-to-medium recurring payload deliveries, designed to complement — not replace — large launch vehicles.
The defense aspect of the technology is no less critical. In a world where hypersonic systems are becoming strategically decisive — with U.S. development programs such as GOLDEN DOME and Israeli initiatives like Arrow 3 and David’s Sling — the need for an efficient testing facility is vital. The accelerator is expected to shorten testing cycles from weeks to days or even hours, increasing the pace of local hypersonic technology development. Instead of relying on costly launches or rare test windows, developers can conduct multiple trial series, measure performance, and build far more accurate empirical models.
The accelerator currently being built in Caesarea is a scaled-down version of the full system, but it will already support testing aerodynamic structures, protective systems, and new materials under extreme conditions. This capability could influence the development of future interception systems and aircraft design features, providing a technological edge in a world where development timelines are shorter than ever.
