Bothell,WA - May 28, 2025 - Portal Space Systems, developer of the Supernova transorbital spacecraft, announced today that it has signed a contract with Momentus Inc. (NASDAQ: MNTS) to deliver its first on-orbit technology demonstration in early 2026. This mission, launching aboard Momentus’ Vigoride 7 Orbital Service Vehicle on a SpaceX Transporter rideshare, will validate Portal’s next-generation spaceflight computer, avionics, and software suite in Low Earth orbit.
By leveraging Momentus’ hosted payload services, Portal is accelerating its hardware readiness timeline and de-risking critical components ahead of the company’s target launch later in 2026. This test will validate the resilience and performance of Portal’s advanced spaceflight computer, avionics, and software suite which have been engineered to support autonomous sustained maneuvering and resilient operations in the challenging conditions of space.
“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.”
Portal’s payload will fly as one of several innovative payloads hosted on Momentus’ Vigoride 7, joining demonstrations from DARPA’s NOM4D program, AFWERX’s rendezvous sensing technologies, and Solstar Space’s Wi-Fi-enabled space communicator. This convergence of government and commercial tech development makes Vigoride 7 an important testbed for the next generation of orbital infrastructure.
“The breadth of this mission’s stakeholders speaks volumes,” added Thornburg. “Momentus is enabling a hub of orbital innovation, and it’s exciting to be part of a cohort that includes the Department of Defense, Solstar, and others working at the frontier.”
“We’re thrilled to support Portal as they push the boundaries of innovation, advancing their technology in the extreme environment of space to enable groundbreaking capabilities,” said Momentus CEO John Rood. “This payload from Portal joins several other innovative payloads from the U.S. Defense Department and commercial customers that are manifested to be carried in orbit on the Momentus Vigoride 7. We are looking forward to conducting this exciting mission that will demonstrate new capabilities for in-orbit assembly, rendezvous and close proximity sensing, and new computing and power generation capabilities.”
This milestone builds on Portal’s momentum since its public debut in 2024 and continues the company’s strategic push toward launch-readiness. Supernova is Portal’s flagship spacecraft, an agile, reusable platform designed for transorbital operations and sustained maneuvering across mission domains. Powered by solar thermal propulsion and equipped with software-enabled payload flexibility, Supernova is engineered to meet every mission need in today’s contested and congested orbital environment.
Portal Space Systems develops advanced spacecraft that redefine what’s possible in space mobility. Headquartered in Bothell, Washington, the company’s flagship spacecraft, Supernova, enables high delta-v maneuverability, multi-orbit operations, and refuelability—unlocking missions previously out of reach. Designed for both commercial and defense applications, Supernova extends operational lifespans, enhances mission flexibility, and ensures sustained presence in space. Backed by funding from the U.S. Department of Defense and Space Force, Portal is expanding its team and partnering with industry leaders to drive the next generation of in-space mobility.