Space propulsion company Impulse Space is developing a system to transport satellites to geostationary orbit (GEO) in under 24 hours, a significant reduction from the months-long journey current methods require. The startup, founded by a former SpaceX propulsion leader, has secured three key contracts for its rapid transit service, signaling growing demand for faster access to this high-value orbit.
Key Takeaways
- Impulse Space aims to cut satellite transit time to geostationary orbit from months to less than one day.
- The company's Helios kick stage is designed for this rapid "last-mile" delivery in space.
- Three new agreements have been signed with Anduril, Astranis, and Infinite Orbits for missions starting in 2026.
- These missions will support defense, satellite communications, and in-orbit servicing sectors.
A New Approach to Orbital Logistics
Impulse Space was established in 2021 by Tom Mueller, who previously led propulsion development at SpaceX for nearly two decades. His work there included the development of the Merlin and Raptor engines. After leaving SpaceX in 2020, Mueller founded Impulse to address the challenge of in-space transportation, often called "last-mile delivery."
The company's primary goal is to provide services that move satellites from an initial drop-off point in low Earth orbit (LEO) to their final operational destinations. While LEO is typically 100 to 1,200 miles above Earth, geostationary orbit is a much more distant 22,000 miles.
The Helios Kick Stage
Central to Impulse's strategy is the Helios kick stage. A kick stage is a self-contained propulsion system that rides along with a primary launch vehicle. Once in space, it detaches and uses its own engine to push its payload—in this case, one or more satellites—to a higher or more precise orbit.
Helios is powered by a high-performance engine named Deneb, which uses a combination of methane and oxygen propellants. This system is engineered to perform the LEO-to-GEO transfer in hours, a task that traditionally relies on low-thrust electric propulsion systems that can take several months to complete the same journey.
Why Geostationary Orbit Matters
Geostationary orbit (GEO) is a specific type of orbit where a satellite matches Earth's rotation. This allows it to remain fixed over the same point on the ground, making it ideal for communications, broadcasting, and weather monitoring. However, reaching this orbit is challenging due to the distance and the need to pass through the high-radiation Van Allen belts.
Strategic Partnerships Drive Growth
In a single week, Impulse Space announced a series of partnerships that validate its business model and technology. These deals span the defense and commercial space sectors, highlighting the broad appeal of rapid orbital transit.
Defense Mission with Anduril
Impulse has partnered with defense technology firm Anduril for a demonstration mission scheduled for 2026. The two companies will jointly develop a satellite designed for rendezvous and proximity operations (RPO), a capability the U.S. Space Force has identified as critical for space domain awareness.
For this mission:
- Impulse will provide its Mira spacecraft bus, which first flew in 2023.
- Anduril will supply the mission payloads, including a data processor and an infrared imager for tracking objects.
- The Helios stage will transport the satellite to GEO in under a day.
Once in orbit, the satellite will be tasked with imaging other space objects and performing autonomous maneuvers. This addresses the military objective of being able to reposition assets quickly and efficiently, a concept often described as "maneuvering without regret."
Mission Profile: Anduril Demo
The 2026 mission aims to capture images of resident space objects, analyze the data onboard, and then execute precise maneuvers to get a better view. This demonstrates a key capability for monitoring activities in the increasingly crowded GEO belt.
Commercial Communications with Astranis
On the commercial side, Impulse signed a transportation agreement with Astranis, a company that builds small communications satellites. The mission, planned for 2027, will see Astranis's MicroGEO satellites launched to LEO aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket.
From there, the Helios kick stage will take over, delivering the satellites to their final geostationary slots in less than 24 hours. This rapid deployment allows Astranis to activate its satellite broadband services for customers on Earth much faster than with conventional methods.
The speed is a significant commercial advantage, reducing the time between launch and revenue generation. It helps Astranis bring its services online for customers waiting for connectivity.
Satellite Servicing with Infinite Orbits
The third agreement is a multi-launch deal with the French company Infinite Orbits, which specializes in satellite servicing. Starting in 2027, Impulse will carry several of Infinite Orbits' servicing spacecraft to GEO.
This will be accomplished through Impulse's rideshare program, named Caravan. Similar to how SpaceX's Transporter missions allow multiple companies to share the cost of a single launch, Caravan will enable multiple small satellites to share a ride to GEO. According to Impulse, its first Caravan mission in 2026 is already fully booked, indicating strong market interest.
The Future of High-Orbit Operations
Most of the recent growth in the space industry has focused on LEO, driven by large constellations of smaller, less expensive satellites for communications and Earth observation. However, Impulse Space's technology and business strategy are positioned to stimulate a new phase of development in higher orbits.
By making GEO more accessible and deployment times dramatically shorter, the company could enable new business models and enhance national security capabilities. If the Helios system performs as designed, it could fundamentally change the economics and logistics of operating 22,000 miles above the Earth.
