US firm’s ‘space gun’ could launch satellites into orbit at 23 times the speed of sound

undefined 25, 2025

Source: interestingengineering

Longshot, a 2021 aerospace start-up, is developing a ground-based “space gun” to fire payloads into low Earth orbit at far lower cost than rockets. Using a WWII-inspired multi-injection system powered by compressed gas, it aims to accelerate projectiles to near-orbital speeds (up to Mach 23). The firm has run 100+ tests, reaching Mach 4, and is building a giant 30-inch, 120-ft accelerator in a former Navy cannon facility. Backed by investors and the U.S. Air Force, it seeks approval for a larger Nevada launch site.

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