The mid-2028 launch aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket will expand Kepler’s optical data relay network; half-cake-topper slot still available.
PARIS, France – September 14, 2026 – Maverick Space Systems, in partnership with Portal Space Systems and Kepler Communications, announced today that it has secured launch capacity for 10 400 kg-class Kepler Tranche-2 satellites aboard Portal’s Motus Via Sol mission, targeted to launch aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket in mid-2028.
On August 20, Portal announced the Motus Via Sol mission and its exclusive partnership with Maverick. As Portal’s exclusive launch integration partner for the mission, Maverick is responsible for optimizing the vehicle’s available capacity around Portal’s spacecraft and identifying and integrating additional payloads. Maverick is managing payload accommodation, hardware integration, and manifest optimization across the stack, enabling the mission to carry both Portal spacecraft and third-party payloads.
Outside of Portal’s allocation, the 10-satellite Kepler allocation represents a significant share of the vehicle’s available commercial capacity. Maverick secured the capacity for Kepler Communications, a Toronto-based aerospace company developing satellite infrastructure for real-time, on-demand space operations.
“Securing capacity for Kepler satellites on the Motus Via Sol mission showcases exactly the kind of integration work Maverick was built to do,” said Vidur Kaushish, COO and co-founder of Maverick Space Systems. “Optimizing a dedicated vehicle’s full capacity with custom full-stack aggregation hardware, accommodating Portal’s spacecraft, and securing capacity for a partner like Kepler is a technically demanding job that we’re deeply proud to deliver on. Our partnership with Portal reflects the trust we’ve built as an integration provider, and bringing a company like Kepler to this mission shows where the rideshare market is headed – providing more flexibility for companies of every size to get to orbit.”
Kepler’s manifest will include Tranche 2 spacecraft, expanding the company’s optical infrastructure with data rates of up to 100 Gbps, advanced on-orbit computing, and integrated hosted payload capabilities. Scheduled to begin deploying in 2028, the next-generation satellites will support growing demand from government and commercial missions, including previously announced programs with NorthStar Earth & Space and the European Space Agency.
“Securing capacity aboard the Motus Via Sol mission is an important element in our broader launch strategy as we scale Kepler’s real-time data relay infrastructure to meet growing customer demand,” said Beau Jarvis, Chief Revenue Officer at Kepler Communications. “Maverick and Portal have created a flexible path to orbit that supports the scale and schedule of our Tranche 2 deployment, and we look forward to working with them toward launch in 2028.”
The mission name, Motus Via Sol, means “movement with the sun,” a reference to the debut of Portal’s Supernova spacecraft. Powered by Portal’s proprietary solar thermal propulsion system, Supernova will mark the world’s first commercial on-orbit application of the technology. It will fly alongside multiple Starburst spacecraft, Portal’s rapidly maneuvering ESPA-class platform. Both platforms can move beyond the initial drop-off orbit, allowing Portal to adapt its mission around customer demand.
“We’re thrilled to welcome Kepler to Motus Via Sol,” said Jeff Thornburg, CEO and co-founder of Portal Space Systems. “Kepler is building a next-generation data relay network, and its 10-satellite deployment is a great fit for this mission. We partnered with Maverick because of their expertise in identifying and integrating compatible missions, and they moved quickly to bring an exceptional partner onto the manifest. Working with both teams has been a great experience, and we’re proud to launch alongside Kepler.”
While Motus Via Sol is the first application of Portal’s broader launch-access strategy. Portal and Maverick are evaluating future dedicated and shared missions across current and next-generation launch vehicles, selecting the option that best matches each customer’s schedule, capacity and destination. The approach developed for Motus Via Sol combines early mission planning, broad payload accommodation, and efficient use of available launch capacity, setting a new framework for future missions.
With 10 Kepler satellites now secured for this mission, Maverick is focusing on signing a customer for a half-cake topper slot.
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About Maverick Space Systems
Maverick Space Systems provides customized, cost effective and responsive end-to-end launch integration solutions. Maverick’s key competencies include mission management, launch deployment hardware, and launch integration services for satellites. The team at Maverick combines industry experience with agility and efficiency to provide their customers with a turnkey service in getting their payloads to orbit. Maverick is headquartered in San Luis Obispo, California. For more information on Maverick’s launch hardware and service offerings, please visit maverickspace.com.
About Portal Space Systems
Portal Space Systems is a next-generation spacecraft company headquartered in Bothell, Washington. Portal’s reconfigurable Starburst and Supernova spacecraft are built for rapid maneuver across and between orbital regimes, supporting defense and commercial missions on operational timelines. The company’s Supernova vehicle is powered by FLARE, Portal’s proprietary solar thermal propulsion system. Since emerging from stealth in 2024, Portal has raised $75 million in funding, earned SBIR and STRATFI support, and been named a Via Satellite “Top 10 Startup to Watch.” Learn more at portalsystems.space.
About Kepler
Kepler Communications Inc. is a space infrastructure provider on a mission to deliver real-time access to space data. With 33 satellites launched to date, Kepler operates the first commercial optical data relay constellation, enabling real-time, continuous space communications while supporting advanced on-orbit compute and hosted payload capabilities. Kepler has achieved industry-leading milestones, including the first commercial on-orbit demonstration of SDA-compatible optical inter-satellite links and successful space-to-air and space-to-ground optical data relay demonstrations. Headquartered in Toronto, Canada, Kepler is building a global company to enable the future space economy.
Media Contact
Chloe Selznick
Marketing Manager @ Maverick Space Systems
chloe.selznick@maverickspace.com
Jen Scholten
Director of Marketing and Commercial Business Development @ Portal Space Systems
Crystalyn Koch
Strategic Communications Manager @ Kepler
