Home / Impulse Space: Funding, Missions, & Strategic Partnerships

Impulse Space: Funding, Missions, & Strategic Partnerships

By: Jasmin Espinas
June 3, 2025

Impulse Space, founded by former SpaceX propulsion engineer Tom Mueller, focuses on in-space transportation and orbital delivery.

Based in El Segundo, the company targets payloads requiring precise maneuvering, setting itself apart from standard rideshare options.

Since its launch in 2021, Impulse has moved quickly to secure strategic contracts, grow its mission pipeline, and expand technical capabilities.

Its recent $300 million funding round, multi-launch agreement with SES, LEO Express-2 mission, Mars collaboration with Relativity Space, and propulsion system development for Vast’s Haven-1 Station all mark significant steps in that trajectory.

Latest News: Impulse Space Raises $300M to Expand Space Tug Operations

Impulse Space has closed a $300 million Series C funding round, led by Linse Capital, on Tuesday, June 3. This brings the company’s total raised to $525 million, making it one of the largest private investments in the sector to date.

We’ve raised a $300M Series C to #MobilizeSpace. 🚀

It’s one of the largest venture rounds in space industry history—and it means we’re growing our team and scaling production to keep accelerating in-space mobility.

Since our founding in 2021, we’ve flown two successful Mira… pic.twitter.com/BlhcknBWDP

— Impulse Space (@GoToImpulse) June 3, 2025

The funding will also allow Impulse to scale operations and deliver on its mission backlog.

Moreover, Impulse currently holds over 30 signed contracts, valued at nearly $200 million. Clients span commercial, defense, and government sectors, with demand centered on faster and more cost-efficient orbital delivery.

In addition, Impulse Space will focus the new capital on the following three areas.

First, it plans to expand its engineering, manufacturing, and operations teams while deepening vertical integration to control cost, schedule, and output quality.
Second, it will accelerate the development of new mission types, including vehicles equipped with electric propulsion and designs suited for national security and NASA requirements.
Third, it will scale production of its Mira and Helios vehicles to meet booked and projected demand.

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Impulse Space & SES Sign Multi-Launch Deal for Helios Transport

Impulse Space and SES have signed a multi-launch contract to use the Helios kick stage for rapid orbital transfer.

We’re pleased to announce our multi-launch agreement with @SES_Satellites, a global content and connectivity provider, to use our Helios kick stage to transport SES’s satellites from Low Earth Orbit (LEO) directly to high-energy orbits in hours. (1/3) pic.twitter.com/UG5F4ZCccY

— Impulse Space (@GoToImpulse) May 22, 2025

Announced on May 22, the agreement allows SES to move satellites from Low Earth Orbit (LEO) directly to Medium Earth Orbit (MEO) or Geostationary Orbit (GEO) within hours of launch, significantly shortening traditional timelines.

The first mission, scheduled for 2027, will launch on a medium-lift vehicle into LEO. From there, Helios will carry a 4-ton-class payload directly to GEO in under eight hours.

The deal includes options for additional missions, allowing SES to respond quickly to deployment needs across its fleet.

“This partnership enables us to accelerate deployment timelines and extend the operational life of our satellites,” said Adel Al-Saleh, CEO of SES.

The 2027 flight marks Helios’ first dedicated commercial mission. The agreement also validates Impulse’s model of faster, targeted space mobility for payloads with specific orbital requirements.

Impulse Space Launches LEO Express-2 Mission Following LEO Express-1’s Success

On January 14, 2025, Impulse Space launched its second Mira mission, the LEO Express-2. The flight follows LEO Express-1, which validated Mira’s orbital transfer capabilities through a series of high-precision maneuvers.

Meanwhile in LEO: Mira’s checking in over the land down under.

LEO Express-2 operations running smooth at just over 27,000 km/h. 🌏🛰️ pic.twitter.com/A6lMvNFW7r

— Impulse Space (@GoToImpulse) June 2, 2025

With this second mission, Impulse pushes the platform further with new upgrades and a broader operational profile.

LEO Express-2 serves multiple customers and technology demonstrations. It includes CubeSat deployments for FOSSA Systems and RIDE!, each requiring specific orbital placement.

In partnership with Exolaunch, Mira is flying the first EXOpod ever integrated into an orbital transfer vehicle. This marks a step forward in streamlining small satellite deployment.

We’re changing the game with @Exolaunch. 🛰️ Proud to partner and deliver fast, reliable deployments — anywhere our customers need to go. https://t.co/tPIly70WZZ

— Impulse Space (@GoToImpulse) February 14, 2025

Additionally, Impulse is testing high-thrust maneuvers using its Saiph thrusters, designed for faster repositioning in space.

Previously, the company has also announced its LEO Express-3 missions.

Impulse Space and Relativity Space to Launch Mars Mission in 2026

Impulse Space and Relativity Space have teamed up to launch a Mars mission scheduled for 2026.

Impulse is excited to announce our partnership with @relativityspace to deliver our Mars Cruise Vehicle and Mars Lander on Relativity’s fully reusable, entirely 3D printed launch vehicle – Terran R! pic.twitter.com/KCVlP6PqW0

— Impulse Space (@GoToImpulse) July 19, 2022

Announced in 2022, the agreement includes a dedicated flight aboard Relativity’s Terran R rocket, which will carry Impulse’s Mars Cruise Vehicle and Mars Lander from Cape Canaveral to a trans-Mars injection trajectory.

The plan involves Terran R inserting the spacecraft into a Mars-bound orbit.

Once near the planet, Impulse’s aeroshell-equipped lander will separate, enter the Martian atmosphere, and perform a controlled descent to the surface.

The lander is also designed to carry its own scientific payload, supporting early-stage infrastructure for future missions.

Relativity’s Terran R is a fully reusable, 3D-printed launch vehicle engineered to reduce lead times and lower costs. Its manufacturing process relies on custom materials and printed geometries that improve performance and allow design changes on shorter cycles.

“This is a major milestone for both Impulse and Relativity, as well as the entire space industry,” said Impulse Space Founder and CEO Tom Mueller.

Impulse Space’s Ongoing Propulsion Development for Vast’s Haven-1 Station

In 2023, Vast selected Impulse Space to develop the propulsion system for its Haven-1 space station.

Impulse is excited to be working with Vast on their Haven-1 Space Station.https://t.co/Tww9QPKmwu #GoToImpulse #AccessAnyOrbit #ImpulseSpace #SpaceExploration

— Impulse Space (@GoToImpulse) June 16, 2023

Set to launch aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 in May 2026, Haven-1 is also positioned to be the first commercial station in low Earth orbit with fully integrated habitation and maneuvering capabilities.

Step inside Vast’s Long Beach headquarters, where Haven-1—the world’s first commercial space station—is taking shape. From initial design concepts to hands-on hardware development, our teams are laying the groundwork for the future of long-term space habitation.

Discover the… pic.twitter.com/PgBrBYqpIX

— Vast (@vast) May 7, 2025

Impulse and Vast are working together to embed the propulsion system as a critical subsystem of the station’s core structure.

Additionally, the system includes Reaction Control System thrusters to support attitude control and deorbit thrusters for controlled end-of-life disposal.

Meanwhile, the Saiph thruster, which leads this configuration, was first flown in 2023 and will accumulate additional flight history across multiple missions before Haven-1’s deployment.

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Final Thoughts

Impulse Space is entering a critical phase of execution. With active flight programs, secured capital, and commercial contracts across Earth orbit and Mars, the company is transitioning from technical validation to operational delivery.

At the same time, its propulsion work, modular vehicle design, and role in flagship missions show sustained relevance as demand for in-space mobility grows.

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