Impulse Space
Impulse Space designs and operates orbital transfer vehicles (Mira and Helios) plus in-house propulsion systems, providing in-space mobility services for commercial satellite operators, NASA, and U.S. national security customers across LEO, GEO, and cislunar orbits.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2021
- HeadquartersRedondo Beach, United States
- Headcount251–500
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Impulse Space does
Impulse Space, Inc. is a privately held U.S. aerospace company founded in 2021 by Tom Mueller, SpaceX's first employee and former CTO of Propulsion. The company designs, manufactures, and operates orbital transfer vehicles (OTVs) that provide in-space mobility services — payload transport, precision maneuvering, hosted payload operations, and rendezvous and proximity operations (RPO) — across LEO, MEO, GEO, and cislunar orbits. Its commercial, civil, and national security customer base includes satellite operators (SES, Astranis, FOSSA Systems, HEO, TrustPoint, RIDE!/SatRev, Infinite Orbits), NASA (OTV studies, VADR launch services), the U.S. Space Force ($34.5M VICTUS SURGO/SALO contract, $60M STRATFI award), the National Reconnaissance Office (BALISTA), the Space Development Agency (HALO program), and industrial partners Anduril (Golden Dome missile defense consortium), Vast (Haven-1 station propulsion), OrbitFab (GEO refueling), Starfish Space (autonomous RPO), Relativity Space (Mars mission), and Exolaunch (CubeSat deployment).
The product portfolio centers on two core vehicles. Mira is a high-thrust, maneuverable spacecraft for precision orbital operations, featuring eight Saiph thrusters (208 N total thrust), nitrous oxide/ethane propellants, up to 300 kg payload capacity, and a five-year design life including GEO operations; three LEO Express missions with Mira have been successfully completed (Nov 2023, Jan 2025, Nov 2025). Helios is a high-energy kick stage that delivers up to 4,000 kg from LEO to GEO in under 24 hours using the Deneb engine (67 kN thrust, LOX/methane, ox-rich staged combustion). The Rigel engine (200 lbf throttleable) is in development for landers and multi-phase missions. The company is vertically integrated, manufacturing in-house the majority of vehicle components including thrusters, valves, ignitors, pressure transducers, battery packs, radios, star trackers, reaction wheels, control electronics, turbopump components, harnessing, and COPVs, supported by 3D printing, 5-axis CNC machining, and welding capabilities across Redondo Beach (HQ), Mojave (engine test), Louisville/Boulder (GNC and precision machining), and Washington D.C. (government affairs).
Impulse generates revenue through mission-based orbital transfer services (one-time mission bookings on Mira and Helios), government contract awards (Space Force, NASA, NRO, SDA — classified as hardware sales and milestone-based), GEO rideshare services via the Caravan program (transaction-fee model, fully booked for 2027), and sale of proprietary propulsion systems (Saiph, Deneb, Rigel) to other spacecraft manufacturers. Pricing is quote-based and mission-specific, with multi-year contract cadences. The company has raised over $1 billion across five funding rounds (Seed through Series D) at a $4.26 billion valuation as of June 2026, and reports a customer contract backlog described as "hundreds of millions" of dollars. Approximately 500 employees support ongoing operations, with 154 additional open positions listed.
Impulse Space firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Impulse Space
- Legal name
- Impulse Space, Inc.
- Website
- https://impulsespace.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2021
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 251–500 employees
- Short description
- Impulse Space designs and operates orbital transfer vehicles (Mira and Helios) plus in-house propulsion systems, providing in-space mobility services for commercial satellite operators, NASA, and U.S. national security customers across LEO, GEO, and cislunar orbits.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Impulse Space industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Space Transportation Services
- NAICS
- Guided Missile and Space Vehicle Manufacturing (336414), Guided Missile and Space Vehicle Propulsion Unit and Propulsion Unit Parts Manufacturing (336415), Other Guided Missile and Space Vehicle Parts and Auxiliary Equipment Manufacturing (336419)
- SIC
- Guided Missiles & Space Vehicles & Parts (3760), Search, Detection, Navagation, Guidance, Aeronautical Sys (3812)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Space Logistics & In-Orbit Servicing (Refueling, Tug, Debris Removal) (IMABACAM)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Spacecraft Propulsion (In-Space) & Thrusters (IMABACAE), Spacecraft & Satellites (Civil/Commercial) (IMABACAB), Spacecraft Avionics, Flight Computers & Software (IMABACAI)
Keywords
Where Impulse Space is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Redondo Beach
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices4 records
Markets served
Impulse Space business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Personnel, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Operations, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Orbital Transfer Vehicle Services: Revenue generated from providing in-space mobility services using Mira and Helios vehicles. Services include precision maneuvering, orbital repositioning, payload hosting and deployment, rendezvous and proximity operations (RPO), and GEO delivery. Customers pay for specific orbital transfer missions and vehicle capabilities.
- GEO Rideshare Services: Caravan program offers rideshare access to GEO orbit using Helios kick stage. Multiple customers share a single mission (rideshare model) or customers can book dedicated missions. GEO Express 1 mission fully booked for 2027.
- Government Contracts: Contracts with U.S. Space Force, NASA, National Reconnaissance Office, and Space Development Agency for tactical responsive space operations, orbital transfer vehicle studies, and mission demonstrations. VALOR contract and other government awards.
- Propulsion Systems: Sale of proprietary propulsion systems including Saiph, Deneb, and Rigel engines to other spacecraft manufacturers or for integration into customer vehicles.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Multi-year contract | Mission-specific pricing based on vehicle type, orbit destination, and service complexity |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels6 records
Impulse Space product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Impulse Space designs, manufactures, and operates orbital transfer vehicles that move payloads between orbits for commercial satellite operators, civil space agencies, and defense customers. Its primary products are the Mira maneuverable spacecraft for precision orbital operations and the Helios kick stage for rapid LEO-to-GEO transport, supplemented by the Caravan GEO rideshare program, in-house propulsion systems, and a planned lunar lander.
Product overview
Impulse Space provides a full-spectrum in-space mobility infrastructure platform consisting of two primary orbital transfer vehicles (OTVs): Mira (precision maneuvering spacecraft for agile orbital operations and RPO) and Helios (high-energy kick stage for rapid LEO-to-GEO/lunar transport). The platform also includes rideshare services (Caravan), in-house propulsion systems (Deneb engine, Saiph and Rigel thrusters), and a lunar lander in development. The vertically integrated approach encompasses vehicle design, manufacturing, testing, and mission operations from the company's Redondo Beach, CA headquarters and facilities in Boulder, CO and Mojave, CA.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Mira Spacecraft High-thrust, maneuverable orbital transfer spacecraft providing precision orbital maneuvering, payload hosting, payload deployment, and rendezvous & proximity operations (RPO) across LEO, MEO, GEO, and cislunar orbits. Features 8 Saiph thrusters for primary propulsion and cold-gas RCS for 6-DOF attitude control. Used by commercial satellite operators, civil space agencies, and defense customers for agile in-space mobility.
- Helios Kick Stage High-energy rapid-delivery kick stage designed to transport payloads from LEO to GEO in under 24 hours, also serving MEO, cislunar, and beyond. Features the Deneb 67 kN LOX/methane ox-rich staged combustion engine with 3-9 km/s delta-V capability and up to 4,000 kg payload capacity to GEO. Paired with a medium-lift launch vehicle, Helios delivers heavy-lift performance at medium-lift launch costs.
- Caravan GEO Rideshare Program Rideshare program providing economical shared-mission access to geostationary orbit using the Helios kick stage. Customers can share a single mission or book dedicated rides; GEO Express 1 is fully booked for 2027 with Caravan 1 and Caravan 2 also targeted for 2027-2028.
- Lunar Lander Lunar cargo delivery vehicle in development, designed to transport up to 3-6 tons of payload to the lunar surface per year, targeting 2028 deployment in support of NASA Artemis and civil/commercial lunar logistics customers.
Quantifiable outcome
- LEO to GEO delivery in under 24 hours vs. 6-9 months via electric propulsion
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use Impulse Space
Customer profileNamed customers10 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Impulse Space technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration4 records
Feature6 records
Impulse Space partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered strategic and core.
- Starfish SpacestrategicStarfish Space and Impulse completed successful Remora autonomous RPO mission using Mira spacecraft. Starfish's CETACEAN and CEPHALOPOD GNC software validated on orbit. Mission brought Mira to within 1,250 meters of target for satellite servicing demonstration.
- AstraniscoreAstranis signed agreement for 2027 mission to directly inject satellites into GEO orbit using Impulse's Helios vehicle.
- Infinite OrbitscoreInfinite Orbits signed multi-launch agreement to GEO with Impulse Space for satellite delivery services.
- AndurilstrategicAnduril and Impulse partnered on highly-maneuverable space missions for national security. Expanded partnership in September 2025 to conduct RPO mission demonstration in GEO. Impulse selected as subcontractor for Anduril's Golden Dome space-based interceptor program in 2026.
- SpaceXstrategicSpaceX serves as launch provider for Mira and Helios vehicles via Transporter rideshare missions. Multiple Falcon 9 launches secured including three dedicated missions. Strategic launch partnership enabling orbital deployment.
- NASAstrategicNASA selected Impulse for OTV studies (August 2025) and VADR launch services contract. Company selected for lunar lander development supporting NASA's Artemis objectives. NASA studying Impulse's orbital transfer capabilities for cost-effective access to challenging destinations.
- ExolaunchcoreStrategic partnership for satellite launch and in-space transportation services. First EXOpod deployment on an OTV demonstrated on LEO Express 2. Exolaunch providing EXOpod Nova deployment system for LEO Express 3 CubeSat deployments.
- SESstrategicSES signed multi-launch agreement for Helios transport services. Major satellite operator customer purchasing GEO delivery services.
- HEOcoreHEO partnered for Non-Earth Imaging (NEI) services hosted on Mira spacecraft. Holmes-007 payload captured first images on LEO Express 2. Continued partnership with Holmes Mk2 on LEO Express 3.
- OrbitFabcoreOrbitFab selected Impulse to support GEO refueling mission. Partnership enables satellite life extension services through in-space refueling capabilities.
- VaststrategicVast selected Impulse Space for Haven-1 space station propulsion. Impulse providing propulsion systems for commercial space station.
- Relativity SpacestrategicPartnership for commercial mission to Mars using Impulse vehicles launched on Relativity Space Terran R rocket. Collaborative deep space mission development.
Scale indicators7 records
Recent moves9 records
Expansion highlights7 records
Impulse Space competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Momentus: Momentus builds the Vigoride orbital transfer vehicle for last-mile satellite delivery and in-space services. It directly competes with Impulse's Mira/Helios platform for OTV customers in LEO-to-GEO rideshare.
- D-Orbit: Italian-headquartered D-Orbit operates the ION Satellite Carrier, an OTV for precision orbital deployment. It is one of the most established commercial OTV operators and competes head-to-head with Impulse on hosted payload and orbital transfer missions.
- Firefly Aerospace: Firefly's Space Utility Vehicle (SUV) is a kick stage for LEO-to-GEO and cislunar transport, directly comparable to Helios. Both companies target commercial and DoD customers for rapid orbital mobility.
- Atomos Space: Atomos Space is developing the QUARK orbital transfer vehicle for satellite repositioning and last-mile delivery, placing it in direct competition with Impulse's Mira spacecraft.
- Spaceflight Inc. Spaceflight Inc. operates the Sherpa OTV family for orbital transfer and hosted payloads. It is a comparable commercial OTV operator serving rideshare and last-mile delivery customers.
Broad incumbents
- Northrop Grumman: Northrop Grumman operates ESPAStar, Mission Extension Pod (MEP), and Mission Robotic Vehicle (MRV) for in-space servicing and OTV-class missions. As a broad incumbent it overlaps with Impulse on defense and GEO servicing work.
- Rocket Lab: Rocket Lab's Photon satellite bus and Space Systems business provide in-space mobility, kick stages, and spacecraft bus services that overlap with Impulse's Mira-class platform, particularly for commercial and civil customers.
- Voyager Space (Nanoracks): Voyager Space / Nanoracks operates Bishop Airlock, Starlab, and in-space services adjacent to orbital transfer. As a broad space services incumbent, it intersects with Impulse on government and commercial in-space mobility programs.
Emerging players
- Exolaunch: Exolaunch integrates deployment systems (EXOpod) with OTV missions including Impulse's own LEO Express 2/3. It is an adjacent/partner peer in the orbital deployment and rideshare ecosystem.
- Apex Space: Apex Space manufactures satellite buses sold to commercial and government operators, overlapping with Impulse's hosted payload and orbital mobility value proposition for satellite operators.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat6 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Impulse Space social profiles
Digital presenceImpulse Space financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Impulse Space leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles14 records
Impulse Space funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds7 records
Investors32 records
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Impulse Space M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Impulse Space
What does Impulse Space do?
Impulse Space designs, manufactures, and operates orbital transfer vehicles that move payloads between orbits for commercial satellite operators, civil space agencies, and defense customers. Its primary products are the Mira maneuverable spacecraft for precision orbital operations and the Helios kick stage for rapid LEO-to-GEO transport, supplemented by the Caravan GEO rideshare program, in-house propulsion systems, and a planned lunar lander.
Is Impulse Space a public or private company?
Impulse Space is a private company. It is classified as venture growth investor backed and is currently operating.
When was Impulse Space founded?
Impulse Space was founded in 2021. It employs 251 to 500 people.
Where is Impulse Space based?
Impulse Space is headquartered in Redondo Beach, United States, in the North America region.
How does Impulse Space make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Orbital Transfer Vehicle Services are the primary driver. The others are GEO Rideshare Services, government Contracts and propulsion Systems.
Who are Impulse Space's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Momentus, D-Orbit, Firefly Aerospace, Atomos Space and Spaceflight Inc.. Broad incumbents are Northrop Grumman, Rocket Lab and Voyager Space (Nanoracks). Emerging players are Exolaunch and Apex Space.
Does Impulse Space have an API?
No public API is recorded for Impulse Space.
What industry is Impulse Space in?
Impulse Space's product category is Space Transportation Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is IMABACAM, Space Logistics & In-Orbit Servicing (Refueling, Tug, Debris Removal), with a secondary code of IMABACAE, Spacecraft Propulsion (In-Space) & Thrusters. Its NAICS code is 336414 and its SIC code is 3760.