Longshot Unveils Giant Space‑Gun to Launch Cargo at TechCrunch Disrupt

At TechCrunch Disrupt 2026, startup Longshot demonstrated a prototype of a massive electromagnetic gun designed to fire payloads into orbit. The company says the device could eventually replace conventional rockets for delivering bulk cargo, such as modular data‑center components, to low‑Earth orbit.

Longshot’s engineers claim the gun can accelerate a payload to the velocities needed for orbit without the fuel costs and emissions associated with rocket launches. The prototype shown at the conference was a scaled‑down version, but the team outlined plans to build a full‑scale system capable of handling multi‑ton shipments.

If successful, the technology could enable a new class of space‑based infrastructure, lowering the barrier for companies to deploy large‑scale hardware above the atmosphere. The concept has drawn interest from investors seeking alternatives to traditional launch providers.

Why It Matters

A cheaper, non‑rocket launch method could accelerate the growth of satellite‑based services and data infrastructure important to US and European tech markets.