Portal Space Systems has secured a Falcon 9 launch in 2028 for its Supernova spacecraft and will offer excess capacity for rideshare payloads. Portal announced on Aug. 20 that it signed a contract with SpaceX for the launch.

The mission, named Motus Via Sol, will test the Supernova spacecraft, which uses solar thermal propulsion and provides up to 6 kilometers per second of delta‑v. Portal is partnering with Maverick Space Systems, a launch aggregator, to market the rideshare capacity. The companies did not disclose the amount of available capacity. The vehicle can carry ESPA‑class satellites and larger “cake‑topper” satellites.

Some satellite operators seek rides to orbit because SpaceX may discontinue its rideshare program beyond late 2028 or early 2029. Vidur Kaushish, chief operating officer of Maverick, said the mission offers an opportunity to reduce launch costs for secondary payloads. Jeff Thornburg, chief executive of Portal, said the company was among those finding it difficult to secure launch services. He noted that launch capacity may become limited, creating a need for alternative options. Thornburg said the primary objective of the mission is to validate the Supernova spacecraft. The spacecraft’s high maneuverability will allow orbital adjustments after launch to accommodate rideshare payloads. Thornburg emphasized that the mission’s top priority remains mission success for investors and customers.

In March, Portal flew Mini‑Nova, a hosted payload on Momentus’s Vigoride‑7, testing avionics for future spacecraft. Thornburg said the Mini‑Nova tests were successful. The company may extend the tests for six additional months to collect more data. Portal’s first satellite, Starburst‑1, is scheduled for launch on SpaceX’s Bandwagon‑5 rideshare mission in October. The company raised $50 million in April and is expanding its workforce to 80–100 employees by year‑end. Thornburg said the U.S. military’s interest in sustained maneuverability in space supports the relevance of Starburst and Supernova. He added that the agreement with Maverick is intended to be long‑term, with potential rideshare opportunities on future Supernova launches. Thornburg, a former SpaceX engineer who helped develop the Raptor engine, declined to comment on the long‑term outlook for SpaceX’s rideshare program or Falcon 9. Portal plans to consider future launches on Starship powered by Raptor engines.