Impulse Space, founded in 2021 by ex-SpaceX engineer Tom Mueller, is an in-space transportation company and space tug provider. It develops orbital transfer vehicles like Mira and Helios to move satellites and payloads from LEO to other orbits, including GEO, lunar, and Martian destinations. Impulse Space has partnered with companies like Relativity Space, Exolaunch, and Anduril, and was selected by NASA as a launch service provider under the VADR contract.
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Impulse Space secured a National Security Space Launch Phase 3 Lane 1 contract from the United States Space Force’s Space Systems Command.
Impulse Space’s Helios upper stage is an option for delivering national security payloads to high-energy orbits.
The Space Systems Command awarded Impulse Space a Firm Fixed-Price, Indefinite-Delivery Indefinite-Quantity contract that serves as an on-ramp into the Lane 1 launch services pool.
Under the contract, Impulse Space will complete an initial capabilities assessment and develop a tailored mission assurance plan with Space Systems Command.
The contract allows Impulse Space to compete for future missions using Helios with a medium-lift launch provider.
Impulse Space will receive a $5 million firm fixed-price task order to support the initial on-ramp phases.
Impulse Space designed Helios to provide rapid, cost-effective access to high-energy orbits.
Impulse Space does not develop its own launch vehicle and instead uses commercial launchers with Helios for its NSSL Phase 3 Lane 1 model.
Helios is scheduled to complete a demonstration flight in 2027 before Impulse Space can compete for future operational missions in NSSL Phase 3.
Impulse Space has entered Lane 1 of the U.S. Space Force’s NSSL Phase 3 program.
Impulse Space will manage the mission to the satellite’s final destination under Lane 1.
Impulse Space will contract directly with the U.S. Space Force under Lane 1 to provide end-to-end launch services.
Impulse Space will procure a commercial launch vehicle under Lane 1 and integrate its Helios orbital transfer vehicle and the designated satellite into the payload fairing.
The U.S. Space Force’s Space Systems Command granted Impulse Space an on-ramp to the National Security Space Launch Phase 3 Lane 1 program.
The U.S. Space Force’s Space Systems Command gave Impulse Space an on-ramp to the National Security Space Launch Phase 3 Lane 1 program.
Impulse Space’s high-energy kick stage is scheduled for its inaugural commercial flight in 2027.
Impulse Space secured a firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery indefinite-quantity contract from the U.S. Space Force’s Space Systems Command on July 8, 2026.
SES signed a multi-launch agreement with Impulse Space in 2025 to use Helios for direct geostationary delivery.
Impulse Space received an initial $5 million task order for preliminary on-ramping assessments under the contract.
SES and Impulse Space signed a multi-launch agreement in 2025 to use Helios for direct geostationary delivery.