Impulse Space set the pace this year in a nascent in-space transportation market that is rapidly moving from promise to practice. Founded by SpaceX propulsion veteran Tom Mueller four years ago, the California-based startup is redefining what maneuverable spacecraft can do for national security and commercial customers once deployed by a conventional rocket. Impulse’s 300-kilogram Mira orbital transfer vehicle achieved two engine burns within a single trip around Earth for the first time in February, after being dropped off in low Earth orbit (LEO). That success demonstrated an agility that had once been limited to larger, more expensive spacecraft amid growing demand for more responsive space operations. A more powerful Mira is slated to fly later this year with radiation-tolerant avionics, onboard reaction wheels and other upgrades designed to enable operations on future missions as far out as geostationary orbit (GEO). Impulse plans to use this version for two U.S. Space Force missions next year. The startup is also preparing to debut a much larger space tug in 2026 called Helios, capable of carrying satellites weighing up to five tons from LEO to GEO in less than a day. Such satellites, using conventional kick stages or electric propulsion, can take weeks to months to reach GEO.

Full feature : Impulse Space was awarded the 2025 Icon Award for top Emerging Space Company Dec. 2, 2025.

For more see the OODA Company Profile on Impulse Space.