Portal Space Systems is a Seattle-area startup that has developed a new type of satellite technology known as solar thermal propulsion. The system uses the heat of the sun to spark the thrusters of the spacecraft, providing a unique method of propulsion that has not been seen before in space. The company has already received over $3 million in funding from the Defense Department and the U.S. Space Force to support the development of its Supernova satellite bus, which is the basic infrastructure for satellites.
Jeff Thornburg, the co-founder and CEO of Portal Space Systems, has a background in developing innovative propulsion technologies. He played a key role in the development of SpaceX’s Raptor rocket engine and worked on 3D-printed rocket engines at Stratolaunch as well as Amazon’s Project Kuiper. Thornburg’s interest in nuclear propulsion led him to consider solar thermal propulsion as a viable alternative. Solar thermal propulsion has the potential to offer high-performance and high-thrust propulsion for satellites, enabling faster mobility in orbit compared to existing electric propulsion systems.
Portal’s Supernova satellite bus would be equipped with a solar concentrator that focuses sunlight on a heat exchanger to produce thrust. This technology has the capability to provide satellites with up to 10 times the velocity change from existing systems, making it an attractive option for applications such as orbital debris removal and rapid deployment of space assets in response to global threats. Additionally, Portal is working on ways to address operation challenges when the satellite is not in direct sunlight, such as by using a “thermal battery” for propulsion.
The Pentagon has shown interest in Portal’s solar thermal propulsion technology as it aligns with its strategy for “Tactically Responsive Space.” The company was selected by the Pentagon to receive a contract to develop technologies that would support responsive and dynamic space operations. Portal is on track to meet the Pentagon’s schedule and is planning to conduct its first in-space test as early as next year. The Supernova satellite bus could also be used for commercial applications where high mobility and flexibility are required in orbit.
Portal’s headquarters is located in Bothell, with plans to establish a production facility in the nearby area. The company currently has 25 employees and is expected to grow to 100 employees in the next year and up to 200 employees in the next 24 months. The co-founders of Portal have connections to the Seattle area’s space industry, with experience working at companies like Stratolaunch and Blue Origin. The company’s strategic investors and funding details have not been disclosed, but Thornburg emphasizes the importance of trust and support from the Space Force as a measure of success.
Portal Space Systems’ solar thermal propulsion technology represents a new and innovative approach to satellite propulsion that has the potential to revolutionize in-space mobility. With high-performance capabilities and funding support from government agencies like the Space Force, Portal is poised to make significant advancements in the space industry. By leveraging partnerships and strategic investments, the company is on track to conduct its first demonstration mission and expand its operations in the Seattle area, contributing to the region’s growing reputation as a hub for satellite manufacturing and innovation.
