Portal Space Systems to Test Atomic-6 Space Armor on Starburst-1 Mission in October 2026

Portal Space Systems is set to integrate Atomic-6's Space Armor tiles onto its Starburst-1 spacecraft for operational validation in orbit. The mission, scheduled for October 2026, will serve as the first orbital test for Atomic-6's next-generation debris shielding technology, installed on a commercial satellite.

The launch will occur via a SpaceX Transporter-18 rideshare mission, utilizing a Falcon 9 rocket from a designated launch site, with deployment planned for Low Earth Orbit (LEO). Portal will conduct in-orbit validation to assess installation procedures, overall performance, and to refine integration best practices for future spacecraft designs. The Starburst-1 mission is also designed to demonstrate critical capabilities, including rendezvous and proximity operations (RPO), rapid retasking, and swift orbital changes, all essential elements in modern space architecture.

Key data underscores the severity of the orbital environment: fragments as small as a few millimeters can inflict severe damage on spacecraft systems at speeds exceeding 7 kilometers per second. This threat from micrometeoroid and orbital debris (MMOD) is a growing concern for operational satellites, as spacecraft routinely encounter millions of untrackable particles moving at extreme velocities. The involved parties in this initiative include Portal Space Systems, Atomic-6, Portal CEO Jeff Thornburg, and Atomic-6 CEO Trevor Smith.

Atomic-6 CEO Trevor Smith stated that this flight transitions the Space Armor technology from testing phases into tangible commercial application, signaling industry adoption of enhanced survivability methods. Space Armor is positioned as a new-generation shield that addresses inherent weaknesses in traditional metallic Whipple shields, such as increased mass and the potential for secondary debris generation. Atomic-6 has demonstrated that Space Armor can arrest projectiles traveling over 7 km/second without producing hazardous secondary fragments, an advantage over aluminum panels in prior demonstrations.

Atomic-6 offers two primary configurations: Space Armor Lite, engineered to withstand impacts up to 3 millimeters—covering over 90 percent of the LEO debris population—and Space Armor Max, designed for protection against particles up to 12.5 millimeters, suitable for crewed systems. Furthermore, the Space Armor tiles feature Radio Frequency (RF) permeability, overcoming a common limitation where shielding layers can interfere with critical communications.

Portal CEO Jeff Thornburg, formerly the architect of the Raptor engine at SpaceX, emphasized that the integration of Space Armor expands Portal's offering to customers, providing sustained maneuverability and extended operational life in orbit. This focus on maintaining maneuverability highlights a core performance metric for modern satellite operators, implying that shielding solutions must be lightweight and non-obstructive. This integration marks a significant step in commercializing advanced debris mitigation technology, moving from ground testing to direct operational environments. CEO Smith explicitly noted his hope that the satellite sustains an impact, underscoring a high degree of confidence in the technology's performance metrics under real-world stress.

Portal Space Systems positions itself as a provider of highly maneuverable and reconfigurable platforms, with sustained maneuverability central to their offering, also supported by the Supernova vehicle capable of inter-orbit transfers. With the Starburst-1 mission slated for a sun-synchronous orbit for a one-year primary mission, Portal is simultaneously validating shared systems that build confidence for the Supernova debut in 2027.