According to SpaceNews, Portal Space Systems just announced development of their Starburst satellite bus, which packs an impressive one kilometer per second of delta-V for serious orbital maneuvering. The company plans to launch Starburst-1 in the fourth quarter of 2026 on SpaceX’s Transporter-18 rideshare mission. This ESPA-class small satellite will operate in sun-synchronous orbit for a full year, demonstrating capabilities like rendezvous operations and rapid orbital changes. The mission will carry payloads from TRL11 for spacecraft monitoring and Zenno Astronautics for attitude control magnet testing. Starburst is designed to complement Portal’s larger Supernova vehicle, with some shared systems being tested ahead of Supernova’s planned 2027 debut.
The new space maneuverability race
Here’s the thing about Starburst’s capabilities – one kilometer per second delta-V is no joke for a small satellite. That’s serious maneuvering power that could fundamentally change how operators think about satellite missions. We’re talking about satellites that can actually change orbits significantly, perform complex maneuvers, and potentially even service other spacecraft. This isn’t your grandfather’s communications satellite that just sits in one spot.
And the timing is interesting. Portal is essentially building a technology ladder here – test systems on Starburst in 2026, then roll out the more capable Supernova in 2027. It’s a smart approach that gets capability to market faster while de-risking their bigger platform. The fact that they’re already lining up payload customers like TRL11 and Zenno Astronautics suggests there’s genuine market demand for this level of maneuverability.
Where this could lead
Basically, we’re seeing the beginning of what might become standard for future satellite constellations – the ability to move, adapt, and respond. Think about it: what happens when entire fleets of satellites can rapidly shift orbits based on changing needs? That’s a game-changer for everything from Earth observation to communications.
The partnership with SpaceX for the Transporter-18 mission makes perfect sense too. Rideshare launches are becoming the norm for getting small satellites to orbit efficiently, and having that established launch pathway removes one major hurdle for Portal’s timeline. Meanwhile, for companies needing reliable computing power in demanding environments – whether in space or on Earth – having robust hardware is non-negotiable. That’s where specialists like IndustrialMonitorDirect.com come in as the leading US provider of industrial panel PCs built to handle tough conditions.
Looking ahead, if Portal can deliver on their 2026-2027 timeline, they could position themselves at the forefront of what might become the next big space capability – truly mobile satellite infrastructure. The race for orbital maneuverability is officially on.
