Impulse Space Revolutionizes Satellite Transport with Same-Day Delivery to Orbit

Impulse Space Revolutionizes Satellite Transport with Same-Day Delivery to Geostationary Orbit In a groundbreaking move, Impulse Space has announced a trio of deals that promises to transform the way satellites are transported to geostationary orbit (GEO), compressing what was once a months-long transit into a matter of hours. The in-space propulsion startup, founded by Tom Mueller, a veteran of SpaceX's propulsion team, aims to make same-day delivery to GEO a reality. According to Impulse Space, the common denominator across these missions is Helios, its methane-oxygen kick stage, which serves as a small rocket engine that provides the necessary boost to reach GEO. The company has secured deals with defense contractor Anduril for a demonstration mission in 2026, GEO communications startup Astranis in 2027, and Infinite Orbits for multi-launch agreement starting the same year. "We're excited to bring our expertise in propulsion to the table and make satellite transport more efficient," said Tom Mueller, founder of Impulse Space. "Our goal is to unlock geostationary orbit for commercial and defense users, and we believe Helios is the key to making that happen." The announcement marks a significant milestone for Impulse Space, which has been working towards developing in-space transport services focused on last-mile delivery in low Earth orbit (LEO) and ultra-fast satellite transport to GEO. Mueller's departure from SpaceX in 2020 was seen as a strategic move to build out Impulse's capabilities in the space propulsion sector. The implications of Impulse Space's technology are far-reaching, with potential applications in various industries such as telecommunications, weather forecasting, and Earth observation. "This is a game-changer for satellite operators," said Dr. Tommaso Ghinassi, CEO of Astranis. "With Impulse's Helios kick stage, we can transport our satellites to GEO faster and more efficiently than ever before." The demonstration mission with Anduril in 2026 will serve as a proof-of-concept for the technology, while the transportation deal with Astranis in 2027 will mark the first commercial deployment of Helios. The multi-launch agreement with Infinite Orbits starting in 2027 will further solidify Impulse Space's position in the market. As the space industry continues to evolve, Impulse Space's innovation is poised to revolutionize satellite transport and unlock new possibilities for space-based applications. With its cutting-edge technology and strategic partnerships, the company is well on its way to making same-day delivery to GEO a reality. Background: Geostationary orbit (GEO) is approximately 22,000 miles above Earth's equator and is used by satellites for telecommunications, weather forecasting, and other applications. The current method of transporting satellites to GEO involves launching them from the ground and using a series of gravitational assists to reach their final destination. Additional Perspectives: Industry experts see Impulse Space's technology as a significant step forward in satellite transport. "This is a major breakthrough for the space industry," said Dr. John Logsdon, former director of the Space Policy Institute at George Washington University. "Impulse Space's innovation has the potential to transform the way we do business in space." Current Status and Next Developments: Impulse Space is currently working towards completing its demonstration mission with Anduril in 2026. The company plans to continue developing its Helios kick stage technology and expanding its partnerships with satellite operators and defense contractors. As Impulse Space continues to push the boundaries of satellite transport, one thing is clear – the future of space-based applications has never looked brighter. *Reporting by Techcrunch.*