Longshot Space Technology, a startup from Alameda, California, is developing an innovative approach to launching cargo into space by using a giant gun rather than traditional rockets. Founded by CEO Mike Grace and CTO Nato Saichek, the company has received about $20 million in venture funding to pursue this idea. Their concept revives a historical notion of firing projectiles into orbit, aiming to replace the rocket’s first-stage launch with a ground-based, reusable multi-injection gun that propels payloads at hypersonic speeds.

Currently, Longshot is testing a 70-foot-long gun at its facility near Barstow, California, which can fire projectiles approaching Mach 4. The company plans to scale up with a new 140-foot gun at its Alameda site, followed by a massive 328-foot gun designed to eventually extend to 3,000 feet. This enormous launcher will accelerate payloads up to Mach 8, enough to reach orbit if the payload carries its own propulsion for the final stage. This technology also has applications in providing cost-effective hypersonic testing for the U.S. military, offering a cheaper alternative to expensive missile interceptor tests.

The startup’s ultimate goal is to dramatically lower the cost of sending payloads to orbit, targeting a price of around $50 per kilogram, which is significantly cheaper than current rocket launch fees that hinder emerging markets such as space-based data centers. According to Grace, while building large-scale launch guns is feasible, finding suitable locations to construct and operate them remains one of the biggest challenges. Nevertheless, the system’s potential reusability and low fuel costs give it a competitive edge in the evolving space launch industry.

Longshot showcased its technology at TechCrunch Disrupt 2026, positioning itself among other cutting-edge startups tackling various space and AI challenges. Grace emphasizes that their approach leverages scaled, de-risked technology inspired by historical military and scientific developments in multi-injection guns. By collapsing the first-stage rocket launch into a ground-level accelerator, Longshot hopes to revolutionize how humans access orbit, making space more accessible and affordable.