Defense technology firm Anduril Industries and propulsion company Impulse Space have announced a partnership to develop and launch a demonstration satellite. The privately funded project aims to showcase advanced maneuvering capabilities in orbit, specifically for rendezvous and proximity operations (RPO), in response to growing demand from the U.S. Space Force.
The mission, scheduled for a late 2026 launch, will operate in geosynchronous Earth orbit (GEO), a high-priority region for national security satellites. This collaboration combines Impulse Space's spacecraft technology with Anduril's advanced sensor and software systems.
Key Takeaways
- Anduril and Impulse Space are jointly funding a new satellite for rendezvous and proximity operations (RPO).
- The mission is planned for a late 2026 launch aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket.
- The satellite will operate in geosynchronous Earth orbit (GEO), approximately 36,000 kilometers above Earth.
- Impulse Space will provide the Mira spacecraft, while Anduril will supply the sensor payloads and mission software.
- The project aims to demonstrate commercially available, high-maneuverability capabilities for potential U.S. Space Force applications.
A Strategic Partnership for Orbital Maneuverability
The collaboration between Anduril and Impulse Space addresses a specific need identified by military leaders for greater agility in space. Both companies see a significant market for satellites that can perform complex maneuvers efficiently and at a lower cost than traditional systems.
Gokul Subramanian, Anduril’s senior vice president of engineering, explained the project's goal. "What we aim to demonstrate with this mission is the ability for us to commercially fund this, demonstrate it working and be an enabler to future DoD missions, and we see the demand for those missions," he said. Subramanian emphasized the strategic importance of orbital movement, stating, "I just think freedom of maneuver is going to be the enabler for every space mission going forward."
This sentiment was echoed by Eric Romo, president and chief operating officer of Impulse Space. He noted that after the company's first Mira vehicle flight, they received clear feedback from the Space Force about the need for agile spacecraft.
"We heard loud and clear from Space Force, ‘This is a capability that we need to have: high thrusts, high maneuverability spacecraft for a reasonable price,'" Romo stated.
The Importance of RPO
Rendezvous and Proximity Operations (RPO) refer to the ability of a satellite to approach and operate near another object in space. This capability is fundamental for a wide range of activities, including satellite inspection, servicing, debris removal, and national security missions. The U.S. Space Force considers RPO essential for enhancing space domain awareness and ensuring the safety of its assets in an increasingly contested environment.
Technical Contributions and Spacecraft Design
Under the agreement, each company brings its unique expertise to the mission. Impulse Space is responsible for the core spacecraft and propulsion systems, while Anduril will provide the advanced payloads.
Impulse Space's Platform
Impulse will supply its Mira spacecraft, a versatile platform designed for in-space transportation. The Mira for this mission will be integrated with the company's Helios kick stage, which features the high-thrust Deneb engine. This combination is engineered to deliver payloads to GEO more rapidly than conventional methods.
The Mira spacecraft itself has a mass of approximately 300 kilograms before payloads are added. This mission builds on Impulse's existing work with the Department of Defense. In October 2024, the company secured a $34.5 million contract from the Space Force and the Defense Innovation Unit (DIU) to provide Mira vehicles for the upcoming Victus Surgo and Victus Salo missions.
Anduril's Advanced Payloads
Anduril is equipping the satellite with a suite of sophisticated sensors and software. The primary payload is a new long-wave infrared (LWIR) imager. This sensor is crucial for detecting objects in space, even those that are dim or not illuminated by the sun.
"Long wave provides significant benefits on orbit, particularly the ability to see very dim targets and the ability to see targets when they are not made visible by the Sun," Subramanian explained. He added that the sensor will enable long-range target acquisition to guide RPO maneuvers.
The satellite will also feature a mission data processor running Anduril's Lattice software. This software platform is designed to integrate data from various sources to create a comprehensive picture of the space environment. Anduril already has a contract from November 2024 to provide Lattice for the Space Force's Space Surveillance Network.
Mission Details at a Glance
- Vehicle: Impulse Space Mira Spacecraft
- Propulsion: Helios Kick Stage with Deneb Engine
- Primary Payload: Anduril LWIR Imager
- Software: Anduril Lattice Mission Processor
- Target Orbit: Geosynchronous Earth Orbit (GEO)
- Launch Vehicle: SpaceX Falcon 9
- Launch Date: Late 2026
Mission Profile and Future Applications
The privately funded satellite is scheduled to launch in late 2026 aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket. It will be part of Impulse's first Helios mission, sharing the ride with the Mira vehicle built for the military's Victus Surgo mission.
The companies chose GEO for this demonstration because, as Subramanian noted, they are "seeing a strong demand signal" for capabilities in that orbit. GEO is home to many of the nation's most critical communication, missile warning, and intelligence satellites.
While the initial mission is focused on GEO, the spacecraft's design is adaptable. Eric Romo stressed that reconfiguring the vehicle for missions in low Earth orbit (LEO) would require minimal changes. "There’s some differences in the radios and antennas and things like that between LEO and GEO, but the core propulsion system, power system, all that sort of thing will be the same," he said.
This flexibility could allow the platform to serve a broader range of defense and commercial needs in the future, aligning with the Space Force's goal of having tactically responsive space capabilities.