Slingshot Aerospace and THE THIRD FLOOR Partner on Immersive Space Force Training Platform

AUSTIN, TX / EL SEGUNDO, CA — October 8, 2020 — Slingshot Aerospace, Inc., a provider of situational awareness technology, announced it has secured $2 million to advance development of the Slingshot Orbital Laboratory, an immersive and physics-driven space simulation environment designed for the United States Space Force.

Funding includes a $1 million Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase II award from the United States Space Force and an additional $1 million investment from ATX Venture Partners. To deliver a highly interactive visualization experience, Slingshot Aerospace has partnered with THE THIRD FLOOR, an internationally recognized visualization studio known for its contributions to major cinematic productions including Gravity, The Martian, and The Mandalorian.

Building an Immersive Learning Environment for Space Operations

The Slingshot Orbital Laboratory is intended to provide a dynamic educational platform capable of supporting both new and experienced space operators. The system will enable users to grasp complex concepts such as astrodynamics, orbital maneuvering, and the interactions between spacecraft and other objects in space.

According to Col. Max Lantz, Commandant of the National Security Space Institute, immersive training tools are essential for strengthening comprehension of foundational theories that underpin space operations. The project aims to address these needs by delivering adaptive and customizable simulation capabilities beyond traditional instructional methods.

Designed for accessibility, the platform will accommodate a broad range of users — from those with limited technical backgrounds to advanced specialists. Its core objective is to modernize space domain awareness education by offering an engaging, intuitive interface capable of modeling real-world orbital dynamics and spatial relationships.

Integrating Data Expertise with Advanced Visualization

Under the contract, Slingshot Aerospace will contribute its expertise in space domain analytics and data modeling, while THE THIRD FLOOR will lead the visualization design and immersive interface development. The collaboratin is intended to bridge the gap between complex orbital data and user-friendly, interactive visualization technologies.

The first release will be optimized for personal computers, though the system architecture is being designed with multi-platform augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) integration in mind. This forward-looking approach ensures adaptability as immersive technologies evolve.

Melanie Stricklan, Co-Founder and Chief Strategy Officer of Slingshot Aerospace, emphasized the broader mission of preparing Space Force personnel for the operational challenges of a contested space environment. Beyond education, the platform will support real-world scenario planning for operational centers nationwide.

Advanced Simulation Capabilities

The Slingshot Orbital Laboratory will incorporate features from the Slingshot Platform and Slingshot Orbital products. Users will be able to construct and manipulate a virtual orbital environment, adjust time parameters, modify orbital elements of both real and synthetic satellites, and selectively enable or disable physical variables within simulations.

The interface will stream orbital and satellite parameters in real time, allowing users to observe and analyze space object behavior dynamically. This functionality supports intuitive understanding of orbital mechanics governed by complex physics and facilitates rapid scenario creation, including launch trajectories and spacecraft rendezvous operations.

Additionally, the platform will enable users to evaluate connections between space-based assets and terrestrial or maritime coverage, as well as geopolitical considerations, within a comprehensive immersive visualization environment.

Chris Edwards, CEO of THE THIRD FLOOR, highlighted the significance of contributing visualization expertise to a national security initiative. While the studio is widely known for its cinematic visualization work — including projects such as Star Wars: The Last Jedi, Avengers: Endgame, and Joker — this collaboration represents an opportunity to apply immersive visualization capabilities to real-world defense applications.

Market Vision and Company Background

Slingshot Aerospace seeks to address a $51.5 billion market by enhancing the value of data derived from earth and space through proprietary analytics and computer vision technologies. Its situational intelligence platform integrates diverse data sources — including satellites, aircraft, drones, and ground-based sensors — to enable rapid analysis and informed decision-making.

Founded in 2017 and headquartered in Austin, Texas, and Los Angeles, California, the company serves government, commercial, and emergency management clients focused on safety and sustainability.

THE THIRD FLOOR, established in 2004, specializes in visualization for film, television, immersive media, and themed attractions. The studio has contributed to major productions across cinema and streaming platforms, earning multiple Emmy Awards, Visual Effects Society honors, and other industry accolades.

Together, Slingshot Aerospace and THE THIRD FLOOR aim to deliver a next-generation training environment that combines advanced space analytics with immersive visualization to support the evolving mission of the United States Space Force.