Aerospace company builds the Supernova, the first commercial next-gen spacecraft; expansion will create 700 high-wage jobs over the next five years

OLYMPIA, Wash. — Governor Bob Ferguson announced today that he is directing $350,000 from the Governor’s Economic Development Strategic Reserve Fund (SRF) into an expansion of Bothell-based Portal Space Systems. This helps the aerospace company grow its planned satellite manufacturing facility and brings it one step closer to leading the space race. The expansion is expected to create more than 100 jobs in the next two years and more than 700 jobs by 2030.

“Strategic Reserve Funds are targeted investments that create good paying jobs and spur innovation across Washington,” Governor Ferguson said. “This project not only achieves those goals, it also reaffirms our state’s role as a leader in the space industry. I am proud to support pioneering projects like this in Washington.”

From left to right: Ian Vorbach, Jeff Thornburg, Prashaanth Ravindran, Portal’s co-founders. Photo credit: Holli with an I Photography

“We’ve spent the last year proving what’s possible. Now we’re scaling to deliver it,” said Jeff Thornburg, CEO of Portal Space Systems. “This support from Washington isn’t just about growth. It’s about building a strategic capability for the nation and doing it right here in Bothell.”

Ferguson directed Commerce to award the SRF funds to the Economic Alliance Snohomish County, which is the county’s Associate Development Organization (ADO). It will use the money to support Portal’s new 50,000-square-foot facility in Bothell, which will allow it to transition from testing and development to scalable production. Portal already operates an 8,000-square-foot spacecraft development office and minor testing site in Bothell. The expansion will allow Portal to bring what it has been testing to market, with a goal of building four spacecraft per month by 2027.

“Portal Space Systems represents the kind of bold, future-facing innovation we’re proud to see growing in Washington,” said Commerce Director Joe Nguyễn. “With the Governor’s new investment, Portal is better equipped to scale up its cutting-edge operations. This strengthens Washington’s position as a hub for world-class talent and national space infrastructure. We’re excited to see and support their continued expansion here in Washington.”

To scale up operations, Portal is planning building improvements, equipment acquisition, workforce training and more. The new jobs will be high-wage tech, manufacturing and engineering positions.

“Portal’s growth is proof-positive that Snohomish County is the epicenter of aerospace innovation,” said Ray Stephanson, EASC president and CEO. “Their expansion will bring top technical talent into an advanced manufacturing environment, sparking the kind of innovation momentum that drives industry breakthroughs and bolsters the local and regional economy.”

Portal has raised more than $22 million in venture capital financing for its Supernova, the first commercial next-gen spacecraft. The Supernova is designed for enhanced maneuverability and multi-orbit operations. The spacecraft uses a solar thermal propulsion system that heats ammonia with concentrated sunlight, offering performance comparable to nuclear propulsion without radioactive materials.

Revenue for the SRF comes from unclaimed lottery prize money. The funds are intended to attract and retain jobs and economic investment in Washington, limited to highly strategic projects that deliver significant job creation and capital investment. These projects were considered in partnership with local associate development organizations (ADOs), and they must be accompanied by private investment. The Governor determines awards based on recommendations from Commerce.

About Portal Space Systems

Portal Space Systems was founded in 2021 by former SpaceX VP Jeff Thornburg. It is a next-generation spacecraft company headquartered in Bothell, Washington. The company builds reconfigurable, maneuverable spacecraft designed to support defense and commercial missions on operational timelines.

Source: Washington State Department of Commerce