Impulse Space and the Acceleration of Orbital Logistics

Source: www.impulsespace.com

In-Space Mobility as Infrastructure

Impulse Space, founded in 2021 by Tom Mueller (founding SpaceX engineer behind the Merlin and Draco engines), is building the transportation layer for space — enabling precise, efficient payload movement across orbital environments. The company focuses on in-space logistics, addressing the critical gap between launch and final orbit.

Impulse offers last-mile delivery for satellites, satellite hosting, and flexible orbital transfers — laying the groundwork for a more modular and dynamic space economy.

Platform Overview: Mira, Helios, and Rideshare

Impulse operates across multiple product lines:

• Mira: A high-delta-v spacecraft for payload hosting, constellation deployment, and autonomous repositioning — already flying since 2023

• Helios: A heavy-lift orbital transfer vehicle capable of sending 5+ tons from LEO to GEO or heliocentric orbit in under 24 hours; launches begin 2026

• GEO Rideshare Program: Dedicated smallsat missions to geostationary orbit, with flight services beginning in 2027, offering schedule certainty and cost efficiency

Strategic Footprint and Partnerships

Impulse recently launched Mira (Nov 2023), with an upgraded variant featuring radiation hardening and improved avionics. It is also building out a GEO rideshare network in partnership with Exolaunch, targeting commercial, scientific, and defense customers requiring flexible access to high-energy orbits.

Market Context

The global space logistics market, valued at $4.17B in 2022, is projected to grow at 17.2% CAGR, reaching $20.38B by 2032. Key demand drivers include:

• Expansion of LEO constellations

• Increased launch frequency

• Government-funded space research

• In-orbit servicing and hosting demand

  
  

North America leads today, while Asia-Pacific is expected to drive future growth through government investment.

Strategic Signal

Impulse Space reflects the emergence of space mobility as critical infrastructure. Rather than building rockets or satellites, the company focuses on inter-orbit delivery and orbital autonomy — a capability set that aligns with the future of on-demand satellite logistics, defense adaptability, and commercial expansion beyond LEO.

Its leadership in propulsion, real-world deployment, and high-delta-v vehicles positions it at the intersection of hardware capability and orbital service flexibility.

Further Reading

👉 Review the full Impulse Space presentation (link to uploaded deck) for technical specs, product roadmap, and market positioning.

Axis Group Ventures continues to track how the orbital logistics stack evolves into a defensible, capital-intensive asset class.