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Portal Space Systems

Portal CEO Jeff Thornburg stretching arms out to show Starburst-1 satellite in Bothell lab

Inside the satellite factory: Portal Space Systems gets set for the debut of Starburst and Supernova

Get a sneak peek at the Seattle-area startup’s first Starburst satellite, plus an update on plans for the 2028 launch of its flagship Supernova spacecraft. Read More

GeekWire 200 update: New unicorns and a hardware surge remake our list of top Pacific NW startups

The latest GeekWire 200, our quarterly ranking of the top Pacific Northwest startups, reflects a shift toward companies building physical products — rockets, fusion reactors, robots and space-based data centers. Starcloud was the biggest mover, two new unicorns joined the list, and Helion held the No. 1 spot. Read More

Tech Moves: Seattle tech exec Brian Hall joins Mistral; Amazon departures; new Dropzone AI leader

After leadership roles at Microsoft, Amazon and Google, Brian Hall joins Mistral; Amazon’s VP of Alexa Domains retires; Dropzone AI names a head of product. Read More

SpaceX and Space Needle

How the SpaceX IPO effect could send the Seattle area’s space industry to a higher orbit

A rising tide lifts all spaceships: Starcloud, Gravitics and other Northwest space ventures look forward to taking advantage of what SpaceX and Starship will have to offer. Read More

Tech Moves: Expedia names SVP; Microsoft AI leader departs for Uber; ZeroAvia CEO steps down

Expedia names SVP in global advertising; a Microsoft AI technical lead departs for Uber; and the CEO of the sustainable aviation startup ZeroAvia steps down. Read More

Bigger checks, fewer bets: Seattle startup deal count drops to lowest level since 2020

The Seattle area ranked seventh in the U.S. by venture capital invested but 10th by deal count in the first quarter of 2026, as funding concentrated into fewer, larger rounds, according to the latest PitchBook-NVCA Venture Monitor. Read More

Illustration: Portal's Starburst and Supernova space vehicles in orbit

Portal Space Systems raises $50M as it gets set to launch its first orbital vehicle made for rapid maneuvers

Startup gears up to build Starburst and Supernova spacecraft for defense and commercial applications at facilities in Bothell. Read More

SpaceX Falcon 9 night launch

Portal Space’s ‘Mini-Nova’ payload goes into orbit to test technologies for maneuverable space vehicles

SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket provides a piggyback ride for Portal’s instrument package and more than 100 other payloads. Read More

Illustration: Starburst and Supernova spacecraft in orbit, both equipped with Triton hardware

Got space junk? Portal and Paladin team up to create an orbital trash disposal service

Partnership will pair Portal’s maneuverable spacecraft with Paladin’s space debris collector for missions starting as early as 2027. Read More

Illustration: Portal Space System's Supernova space vehicle in orbit

Washington state will provide $350K to support Portal Space System’s satellite factory in Bothell

Gov. Ferguson approves award to Portal from strategic reserve fund for economic development. Read More

Jeff Thornburg at Portal Space Systems with vacuum chamber

Uncommon Thinkers: How Portal’s Jeff Thornburg plans to harness the heat of the sun in the cold of space

Before he became the CEO of Portal Space Systems, Jeff Thornburg worked for two of the world’s most innovative space-minded billionaires. Now he’s working on an idea those billionaires never pursued: building a spacecraft powered by the heat of focused sunlight. Read More

Illustration showing Starburst (foreground) and Supernova (background) spacecraft in Earth orbit

Portal Space Systems introduces Starburst, a new breed of maneuverable spacecraft

Demonstration mission for orbit-shifting satellite platform set for late 2026 Read More

Thruster glows during test in a vacuum chamber

Portal Space Systems brings its solar thermal propulsion system up to full power during test

Bothell, Wash.-based Portal Space Systems says it has successfully tested its solar thermal propulsion system at operational temperatures inside a… Read More

Jeff Thornburg with Portal logo and flags posted on the wall behind him

Portal Space Systems plans to put spacecraft manufacturing facility near Seattle-area hub

Portal Space Systems says it’s setting up its 50,000-square-foot spacecraft manufacturing facility just 3 miles away from its existing design… Read More

Illustration: Portal Space System's Supernova space vehicle in orbit

Portal Space Systems raises $17.5M for orbital spacecraft powered by solar heating

Bothell, Wash.-based Portal Space Systems says it has raised $17.5 million in seed funding to accelerate the development of its… Read More

Ribbon-cutting ceremony at Portal Space Systems

Portal Space Systems opens its doors for a sneak preview of solar propulsion system

BOTHELL, Wash. — From the outside, Portal Space Systems’ headquarters looks like a standard-issue office space in a Bothell business… Read More

Illustration: Portal Space Systems' Supernova satellite bus in orbit

Portal Space Systems comes out of stealth with satellites that’ll be fired up by the sun

A Seattle-area startup called Portal Space Systems is emerging from stealth to share its vision for a type of satellite… Read More

Illustration: Gravitics space station module in orbit

Three Pacific Northwest space companies win awards from Space Force venture fund

SpaceWERX, which essentially serves as a venture fund for the U.S. Space Force, has awarded contracts worth as much as… Read More

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