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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Google Sets New Android App Rules To Cut Memory Use

by News Editor

August 28, 2026

Google is introducing new quality requirements for Android apps as developers face tighter constraints on device memory and broader hardware supply pressures.

The company announced two new requirements this week. One focuses on reducing apps’ memory use and improving code efficiency, while the other requires apps to restore users’ sign-in status when they move to a new Android device.

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Google Sets New Memory Performance Rules

Google said the mobile industry is facing “significant hardware supply constraints that are altering device memory availability,” which could affect app performance and the user experience.

Under the new rules, developers will need to meet thresholds covering areas including dynamic memory and bitmap usage. Additional code optimisation requirements are designed to reduce slowdowns and crashes linked to excessive resource use.

Google is also rolling out tools that alert developers when their apps exceed the new limits. More diagnostic features are planned later this year, including deeper analysis through Android’s Memory Limiter, which restricts excessive memory use.

Developers have until February 2027 to comply with the new standards, according to Google’s Android Developer documentation.

Zero-Tap Sign-In Requirement Starts In 2027

A separate requirement will apply to all apps distributed through Google Play. By April 2027, apps that use optional or mandatory sign-ins must automatically restore a user’s sign-in state when they move between Android devices.

The feature will rely on Android’s Restore Credentials API, which is designed to transfer sign-in credentials during device migration without requiring users to log in again.

Google said the new standards are intended to help developers maintain app performance and simplify device transitions as device specifications and memory availability change.

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