Impulse Space's focus on on-orbit services are represented by their space tugs Helios and (the much smaller) Mira. With most modern launchers being designed as two-stage launchers with most effective payload placement in Low-Earth Orbit, these tugs provide a third-stage, or the ability to deploy rideshares or smaller secondary payloads into dedicated orbits.
The founder is well-known as an engineer who provided leadership for such SpaceX engines as Merlin, Draco, and SuperDraco, Impulse Space focuses on in-orbit transfer.
Founded in 2021 by Tom Mueller, the first employee at SpaceX, it received cash infusions during funding rounds in 2022 and 2023. Started securing contracts in 2024.
