Palladyne AI’s subsidiary GuideTech wins a Portal Space Systems contract, extending its autonomy and avionics expertise into maneuverable spacecraft.
Palladyne AI said its subsidiary, GuideTech, has secured a new contract with Portal Space Systems to support the development of next-generation, maneuverable spacecraft platforms, marking Palladyne AI’s expansion into the space domain.
The agreement positions Palladyne AI to extend its embedded autonomy and avionics capabilities beyond air and ground systems, strengthening its role as a multi-domain autonomy partner across defense, civil, and commercial applications.
Under the contract, GuideTech will deliver capabilities spanning navigation, guidance, spacecraft modeling, embedded software, and avionics support. The work will contribute to Portal Space Systems’ efforts to build flexible spacecraft designed for rapid maneuvering and autonomous decision-making.
“This contract represents an important step for Palladyne AI and GuideTech while opening the opportunity to extend our autonomy capabilities into the space domain,” said Ben Wolff, president and chief executive of Palladyne AI. He said the collaboration further positions the company as a trusted autonomy partner as Portal’s mission requirements evolve.
Also Read: Part 2: The High-Stakes Reality of AI’s Second Act
Jeff Thornburg, chief executive and chief technology officer of Portal Space Systems, said advanced orbital maneuverability depends on fast, autonomous decision-making. He added that GuideTech’s work has helped translate novel maneuver concepts into executable missions and that Palladyne AI’s autonomy will enable spacecraft decisions to keep pace with rapid maneuvers.
Portal Space Systems is developing spacecraft capable of repositioning across orbits on compressed timelines, supporting missions that demand speed, flexibility, and precision. GuideTech’s contributions have included mission planning for rapid and transorbital maneuvers, development of flight software, and operational designs that move Portal’s concepts from theoretical to demonstrable capability.
Palladyne AI said the engagement creates a foundation not only for operational missions but also for future training and mission rehearsal as advanced maneuver profiles become part of real-world space operations.
