Portal Space Raises $50M For Solar Propulsion

Innovative Vision Rooted In Aerospace Expertise

Jeff Thornburg, a former engineer at the U.S. Air Force and SpaceX, is developing propulsion systems at Portal Space Systems. The company was founded in 2021. Portal Space Systems raised $50 million in a Series A round, reaching a valuation of $250 million. Investors include Geodesic Capital, Mach33, Booz Allen Ventures, ARK Invest, AlleyCorp, and FUSE.

Revolutionizing Propulsion With Solar Thermal Technology

Solar thermal propulsion is being developed as an alternative to chemical and electric systems. Government laboratories have studied the concept since the 1960s. Concentrated solar energy is used to heat propellant, increasing thrust and maneuverability. Demand has grown alongside rising satellite deployments and defense-related requirements.

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Strategic Investment And Military Interest

Portal Space Systems has received $45 million in funding linked to U.S. military programs, in addition to $67.5 million in private capital. Investors are evaluating applications in commercial satellite operations and defense scenarios, including spacecraft maneuverability in orbit.

Navigating The Path To Operational Flight

Portal is testing flight electronics in orbit and plans to launch a prototype spacecraft in October. A fully operational propulsion system is targeted for deployment by 2027 on the SuperNova spacecraft. The system includes a Hex thruster combining a solar concentrator and nozzle in a single unit.

Looking Beyond Today: Preparing For Future Propulsion Systems

Solar thermal propulsion is positioned as an alternative to nuclear systems, which face regulatory and technical constraints. In-orbit testing is being used to validate components, reducing reliance on ground-based infrastructure.

Industry Context

Demand for advanced propulsion systems continues to grow as satellite activity increases and orbital congestion expands. Portal Space Systems is developing technology focused on maneuverability, efficiency, and scalability in space operations.

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Cyprus Expects More French Visitors In 2027 As Air Capacity Expands

by THEFUTURE.TEAM

September 18, 2026

Cyprus expects more French visitors in 2027 as airlines increase capacity between the two countries, Tourism Deputy Minister Kostas Koumis said after meetings with tour operators in Paris.

France, one of Cyprus’ key tourism markets, has had a difficult 2026. French arrivals fell 46% year over year to 8,453 in August, from 15,663 a year earlier, according to the Statistical Service of Cyprus (Cystat). August arrivals were also nearly 50% below the 16,798 recorded in the same month of 2024.

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Overall, Cyprus received 2.82 million tourist arrivals between January and August, down 7% from the same period in 2025.

Air Connectivity Supports 2027 Outlook

Koumis discussed the 2027 outlook with senior executives from tour operators offering Cyprus holidays during the IFTM Top Resa travel trade fair in Paris.

Higher air capacity between France and Cyprus was a key focus of the talks. Participants also discussed the impact of geopolitical tensions in the Middle East on the French market and Cyprus’ efforts to adapt its tourism offering to French travelers.

“The French market is undoubtedly an extremely important market for our country’s tourism,” Koumis said, adding that France had regained importance only a few years ago and still had room to grow.

Improved air connectivity will be an important factor in that expansion, according to Koumis. “It is now clear that air connectivity between France and Cyprus is improving significantly, which is a basic prerequisite for the further growth of the market,” he said.

Cyprus Promotes Tourism And Regional Cooperation

Koumis attended the opening of IFTM Top Resa at the invitation of French Tourism Minister Serge Papin, who later visited the Cyprus stand. Held from Sept. 15 to 17 at Paris Porte de Versailles, the event brought together more than 32,000 tourism professionals representing 177 destinations and 1,650 brands, according to organizers.

During his visit, Koumis also met Egyptian Tourism Minister Sherif Fathy. Cyprus and Egypt reaffirmed their tourism cooperation and discussed opportunities to strengthen ties further.

French media interviews covered Cyprus’ tourism offering, infrastructure and services, along with efforts to develop specialized tourism products. Regional instability weighed on arrivals in 2026, particularly during the spring, although the decline narrowed over the summer.

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