Latest news with #Impulse
Broadcast Pro
08-06-2025
- Business
- Broadcast Pro
Impulse Space raises $300m in Series C
The company is hiring and scaling rapidly to meet surging demand across commercial, civil, and defense sectors. Impulse Space, a company in the field of in-space transportation, has raised $300m in a Series C funding round, marking one of the largest venture capital infusions in the history of the space industry. The round was led by Linse Capital and brings Impulses total funding to $525m. The funding comes as a proactive move to support Impulses rapid growth and rising customer demand. With over 30 contracts signed, valued at nearly $200m, the company plans to use the capital to scale operations and deliver a growing pipeline of missions requiring faster, more agile, and cost-efficient in-space transport solutions. Founded in 2021 and helmed by Tom Mueller, a founding member of SpaceX and the engineer behind the Merlin rocket engine, Impulse has quickly established itself as a major force in the sector. The companys consistent record of successful missions and technical achievements has positioned it at the forefront of in-space mobility. Mueller, CEO and founder, said:'Weve proven that we can build fast and fly successfully. Now, the market is demanding more. This raise helps us scale production and technical capabilities to meet that demand head-on.' Bastiaan Janmaat, Managing Partner at Linse Capital, added: 'Impulse is tackling one of the most technically demanding challenges in aerospace with a speed and precision we rarely see. Their vertically integrated approach, proven track record, and ability to execute quickly in this market give them a real advantage. Were excited to support their vision as they build the infrastructure that will power the next generation of space missions.' The funding will be directed toward expanding the team across engineering, manufacturing and mission operations; accelerating research and development for longer-duration missions using electric propulsion; and scaling production of Impulses Mira and Helios vehicles to meet surging demand from both commercial and government sectors, including national security and NASA. Mueller added: 'Achieving a true space age is going to require new levels of in-space mobility to move payloads quickly and precisely, both within and between orbits. That capability is what were building at Impulse.'
Axios
04-06-2025
- Business
- Axios
Ex-SpaceX engineer raises $300 million for satellite "tugging"
Impulse Space, a Cakifornia-based maker of spacecraft for "tugging" satellites across orbits, has raised $300 million in Series C funding led by Linse Capital. Why it matters: This is the picks and shovels of defense-tech, akin to what oilfield service companies were to the fracking boom. Zoom in: Impulse is led by Tom Mueller, the first SpaceX employee.
Yahoo
03-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Former SpaceX Engineer's Impulse Space raises $300 million to expand space tug fleet
-Impulse Space, a space technology startup developing orbital transfer vehicles commonly known as "space tugs," has raised $300 million in a late-stage funding round led by Linse Capital, bringing the company's total funding to $525 million. Led by Tom Mueller, a founding employee at Elon Musk's SpaceX, Impulse Space is creating spacecraft designed to transport satellites between different orbital positions to meet growing demand for orbital logistics services. WHY IT'S IMPORTANT As SpaceX's Starship and Blue Origin's New Glenn approach operational status, industry experts anticipate a surge in rideshare missions. These launches place multiple satellites on single rockets, often requiring space tugs to deliver them to precise orbits. CONTEXT The funding positions Impulse Space to address increasing demand for in-space mobility across commercial, civil, and defense sectors seeking faster, cost-effective orbital transport solutions. In-space mobility has become essential for satellite deployment, Earth observation support, and deep space exploration. Space tugs offer satellite operators a cost-effective way to reach specific orbits without requiring customized launches. BY THE NUMBERS Impulse has signed more than 30 commercial and government contracts valued at nearly $200 million and is seeing more interest from across sectors. The company has completed two missions completed using Mira, Impulse's high-thrust space vehicle. The startup did not disclose the valuation of its funding round and did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for the information. WHAT'S NEXT Impulse plans to expand its workforce, accelerate research and development for long-duration missions, and scale production of its Mira and Helios space vehicles to meet increasing customer demand.
Yahoo
03-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Former SpaceX Engineer's Impulse Space raises $300 million to expand space tug fleet
-Impulse Space, a space technology startup developing orbital transfer vehicles commonly known as "space tugs," has raised $300 million in a late-stage funding round led by Linse Capital, bringing the company's total funding to $525 million. Led by Tom Mueller, a founding employee at Elon Musk's SpaceX, Impulse Space is creating spacecraft designed to transport satellites between different orbital positions to meet growing demand for orbital logistics services. WHY IT'S IMPORTANT As SpaceX's Starship and Blue Origin's New Glenn approach operational status, industry experts anticipate a surge in rideshare missions. These launches place multiple satellites on single rockets, often requiring space tugs to deliver them to precise orbits. CONTEXT The funding positions Impulse Space to address increasing demand for in-space mobility across commercial, civil, and defense sectors seeking faster, cost-effective orbital transport solutions. In-space mobility has become essential for satellite deployment, Earth observation support, and deep space exploration. Space tugs offer satellite operators a cost-effective way to reach specific orbits without requiring customized launches. BY THE NUMBERS Impulse has signed more than 30 commercial and government contracts valued at nearly $200 million and is seeing more interest from across sectors. The company has completed two missions completed using Mira, Impulse's high-thrust space vehicle. The startup did not disclose the valuation of its funding round and did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for the information. WHAT'S NEXT Impulse plans to expand its workforce, accelerate research and development for long-duration missions, and scale production of its Mira and Helios space vehicles to meet increasing customer demand.
Broadcast Pro
26-05-2025
- Business
- Broadcast Pro
SES signs multi-launch agreement with Impulse Space
Selected missions will lift off aboard a medium-class rocket to LEO, where Impulses high-energy Helios kick stage will then carry each SES satellite to higher orbits within hours. Impulse Space, a leader in in-space mobility, has signed a multi-launch agreement with satellite operator SES to utilise its Helios kick stage system to reduce the time required for SES satellites to reach their final orbital destinations. The partnership will enable SES to move its payloads directly from Low Earth Orbit (LEO) to high-energy orbits, such as Geostationary Orbit (GEO) or Medium Earth Orbit (MEO), within hours rather than months. The first mission under this agreement is slated for 2027 and will see a 4-ton-class SES satellite launched via a medium-lift rocket into LEO before being swiftly transferred by Helios to GEO in under eight hours. This mission will mark the first commercial deployment dedicated solely to Helios, showcasing its full performance capabilities. The deal also leaves room for additional missions, allowing SES greater flexibility and speed in deploying satellites on demand. Traditionally, satellite operators targeting MEO or GEO have been limited to either costly and scarce heavy-lift rockets or extended, slow transfers using electric propulsion systems. Helios presents a new optionusing chemical propulsion to transport satellites directly and rapidly to their target orbits, transforming the traditional satellite deployment model. Commenting on the launch agreement, Adel Al-Saleh, CEO of SES, said: 'At SES, we are firm believers that co-development and collaboration with our partners will help the space industry to evolve and quicken the pace of innovation. Today, were not only partnering with Impulse to bring our satellites faster to orbit, but this will also allow us to extend their lifetime and accelerate service delivery to our customers. Were proud to become Helios first dedicated commercial mission.' Helios responsive capabilities and powerful engine enable mission operators to designand pricesatellites based on their specific operational orbit. This paradigm shift can simplify mission planning and decrease satellite mass, resulting in lower overall mission costs, while improving operational timelines. Tom Mueller, founder and CEO of Impulse Space, added: 'We believe MEO and GEO play a critical role in the space economy, but operators today face the challenges of slow, expensive, and inflexible access to these essential orbits. Helios changes thatits built to move large payloads to high-energy orbits quickly and reliably. SES has a long history of embracing innovation and pushing our industry forward, and were proud theyve chosen Helios to support the next phase of their deployment strategy.' This marks the first commercial contract for a dedicated Helios missionwhere a single, 4-ton-class payload will fully leverage the vehicles performance capabilities for direct transport to GEO.
