Rendering of Portal Space Systems’ Supernova multi-role, transorbital spacecraft. Photo: Portal Space Systems

Portal Space Systems will fly its first on-orbit demonstration on a Momentus orbital service vehicle in a mission set to launch in early 2026, Momentus announced Wednesday. This mission will validate Portal’s flight computer, avionics and flight software in space. 

Portal Space Systems, founded by former SpaceX VP of Propulsion, Jeff Thornburg, is building toward a full-scale demonstration of its Supernova multi-role, transorbital spacecraft. Portal recently raised $17.5 million in a seed funding round. 

“In-space validation is the cornerstone of de-risking space systems, especially when you’re building a spacecraft like Supernova that has to think, act and react across transorbital domains,” said Jeff Thornburg, CEO and co-founder of Portal Space Systems. “This mission lets us iterate and advance faster, and we’re thrilled to be flying alongside some of the most ambitious payloads in space.”

Momentus will also host several other payloads from the U.S. Defense Department and commercial customers on the Momentus Vigoride 7 mission, which will launch on a SpaceX Transporter mission to Low-Earth Orbit (LEO).