Portal Space Systems Unveils Revolutionary Spacecraft with Novel Propulsion Technology.

Startup Portal Space Systems, founded by former SpaceX and Amazon executive Jeff Thornburg, has finally gone public unveiling its goals with a groundbreaking announcement. The company has secured over $3 million in awards from the Defense Department and undisclosed private investment to develop a novel spacecraft bus called Supernova. This innovative spacecraft utilizes a solar thermal propulsion system, harnessing solar energy to heat a propellant and generate thrust.

Supernova's propulsion system boasts a delta-V of six kilometers per second with high thrust, enabling rapid movement between orbits. This capability allows the spacecraft to transition from low Earth orbit to geostationary orbit in a matter of hours or reach cislunar space in days. Thornburg, CEO and founder of Portal, recognized the need for mobility solutions in both commercial and military applications, particularly the military's interest in dynamic space operations and "maneuver without regret."

Thornburg, who previously served as head of mechanical engineering and manufacturing for Amazon's Project Kuiper and senior director of propulsion at SpaceX, founded Portal Space Systems in 2021 with Ian Vorbach and Prashaanth Ravindran. The company spent its initial two and a half years engaging with potential customers to understand their needs, leading to the design of Supernova.

Supernova offers high delta-V capabilities, addressing commercial and military mobility needs, including increased maneuverability in LEO for collision avoidance and rapid transit to GEO. The spacecraft bus also serves as a tug, supporting various mission sets, including refueling and space situational awareness. Thornburg emphasized Supernova's versatility, stating, "I didn't want to leave any money on the table, and there's a lot of people that need delta-V, but not necessarily for the same thing."

Portal Space Systems has 25 employees and is expanding into a new facility in the Seattle suburbs. The first Supernova is scheduled to launch in late 2025 on a demonstration mission, with plans to quickly scale up production upon successful demonstration. Thornburg expressed confidence in meeting anticipated demand, starting with one spacecraft per month and potentially increasing production as needed.

With its innovative solar thermal propulsion system and versatile capabilities, Supernova is poised to revolutionize space travel and mobility. Portal Space Systems is well-positioned to capitalize on this growing market, addressing the needs of both commercial and military customers. 

By Azhar