Portal Space Systems says it’s decided to set up its 50,000-square-foot spacecraft manufacturing facility just 3 miles away from its existing design and testing hub in Bothell, Wash.
By the end of 2026, the factory should be ready to start producing Portal’s Supernova space vehicles, which are being designed to use an innovative solar thermal propulsion system to maneuver payloads between orbital locations.
“With growing demand from both our commercial and defense partners, this new facility marks the next strategic step in Portal’s evolution,” Portal CEO Jeff Thornburg said today, in a news release that was issued in conjunction with the Paris Air Show. “By expanding our footprint in Bothell, we’re doubling down on local talent, proximity to core operations, and a growing aerospace ecosystem supported by state leadership.”
