Momentus, a leading U.S. commercial space firm specializing in satellite solutions, in-space transportation, and orbital infrastructure, has signed a contract with Portal Space Systems to provide hosted payload services for the company’s first on-orbit demonstration of its advanced flight computer technology.

Momentus is committed to supporting the development and testing of next-generation space technology. Portal Space Systems emerged from stealth in April 2024, after its founding in 2021 by former SpaceX VP of Propulsion, Jeff Thornburg. This mission will validate the performance of Portal’s flight computer, avionics and flight software in the harsh conditions of space, where exposure to radiation, extreme temperatures, and vacuum presents significant operational challenges.

Flight computing, power systems components and avionics systems are critical to satellite operations, enabling autonomous control for highly maneuverable spacecraft. The need for robust fail-safes and system redundancy is essential to ensuring mission success and operational reliability in these demanding environments.

“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.”

This payload will be among several mission-critical payloads Momentus will carry aboard its Vigoride 7 Orbital Service Vehicle, scheduled for launch no earlier than February 2026 on a SpaceX Transporter mission to Low Earth Orbit.

"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.”

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