capital · May 20, 2026
Portal Space Systems Prepares Starburst Spacecraft for October 2026 Launch on SpaceX Transporter-18
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Portal Space Systems is preparing its first Starburst spacecraft for a potential October 2026 launch aboard SpaceX’s Transporter-18 rideshare mission. The ESPA-class vehicle supports customer payloads including TRL11’s video camera with edge processing and Zenno Space’s superconducting magnetic actuator for a yearlong test in sun-synchronous orbit. Portal raised $50 million in Series A funding in April 2026 to accelerate development of the maneuverable Starburst and larger Supernova vehicle. An experimental "Mini-Nova" payload launched last month tested control software and power systems for both vehicles. CEO Jeff Thornburg stated the team is in good shape for upcoming missions.
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