Impulse Space has raised $500 million in a Series D funding round, bringing the company’s total funding to more than $1 billion since its founding five years ago.
The California-based company said the new capital will support hiring, expand vehicle development programs and help meet growing demand for in-space transportation services.
Growing Demand for Space Mobility
Founded by former SpaceX propulsion engineer Tom Mueller, Impulse Space focuses on spacecraft designed to move satellites and payloads between different orbits and destinations in space.
The company said demand has expanded across several markets, including commercial satellite operators, the U.S. Space Force and future lunar exploration programs.
“Timing is everything,” said Tom Mueller, founder and chief executive of Impulse Space.
Company executives said they were not actively seeking additional capital but decided to pursue the funding round as customer demand accelerated.
“It’s all happening now,” said Eric Romo, president and chief operating officer of Impulse Space.
“And I think that’s going to continue, and the market’s going to continue to find exciting new things.”
Building a Space Transportation Network
Impulse Space has already completed three missions using its Mira spacecraft, which first launched in 2023.
Mira utilizes a propulsion system powered by nitrous oxide and ethane, which the company describes as non-toxic alternatives to traditional spacecraft propellants.
The company has also introduced Helios, a larger orbital transfer vehicle designed to transport spacecraft from low-Earth orbit to higher-energy destinations, including geostationary orbit and the Moon.
According to company executives, customer demand for Helios has exceeded initial expectations.
Lunar Exploration Opportunities
Impulse Space believes its transportation systems could play a role in future lunar missions under NASA’s Moon Base initiative.
The company is developing a lunar lander concept that would utilize the Helios transfer vehicle to transport larger payloads to the Moon.
According to Impulse Space, combining a Falcon 9 launch vehicle with Helios could allow between one and two tonnes of cargo to be delivered to the lunar surface.
The company said this capability aligns with NASA’s future plans to deploy larger infrastructure, equipment and rovers to support long-term human operations on the Moon beginning later this decade.
Expansion Plans
Impulse Space currently employs more than 500 people and has approximately 200 open positions as it scales operations.
The company expects to launch the first Helios mission next year through its Caravan rideshare program, which will transport smaller spacecraft directly to geostationary orbit.
Impulse said the inaugural Caravan mission is fully booked, while additional missions are planned for 2028.
The latest funding reflects growing investor interest in companies developing in-space logistics and transportation capabilities as governments and commercial operators increase activity in Earth orbit, cislunar space and future lunar exploration programs.
