Portal Space Systems introduced Starburst, an ESPA‑class satellite bus engineered for rapid on‑orbit maneuverability and responsive repositioning for hosted payloads. Portal, based in Bothell, Washington, confirmed Starburst‑1 is booked on SpaceX's Transporter‑18 and targets a fourth‑quarter 2026 first flight.
Discovered |
Briefing
Starburst delivers an ESPA‑class platform with rapid on‑orbit maneuverability and a booked first flight in Q4 2026 on SpaceX, signaling new options for responsive repositioning and hosted services; see SpaceX's ongoing high launch cadence for context (SpaceX lofts 28 Starlink smallsats).
The vehicle targets demand for on‑orbit agility and logistics that complements emerging in‑space transport and tug services, linking to recent partnerships and tech‑demo flights in LEO (Momentus and Solstar partnership).
Reported By
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Portal Space Systems announces highly maneuverable satellite bus • SpaceNews.com
Portal Space Systems Unveils Starburst Spacecraft, Targets First Flight Next Year • Satellite News Network
Payload
• Rachael Zisk