SpaceX launched its ninth "Transporter" mission from California over the weekend, carrying a host of small- and medium-sized satellites into low-Earth orbit. Among the payloads was Impulse Space's very first spacecraft, named Mira, marking a significant milestone for the company.

Impulse Space, founded two years ago by former SpaceX employee Tom Mueller, aims to provide affordable and accessible in-space propulsion services. The launch of Mira on a Falcon 9 rocket signals the company's entry into the market. Following the successful launch, Impulse Space's Mira "LEO Express 1" mission confirmed that the spacecraft was in good working order, paving the way for future missions.

While at SpaceX, Mueller was instrumental in the development of the Merlin engines powering the Falcon 9 rocket, gaining extensive expertise in rocket and spacecraft propulsion. Now, as the head of Impulse Space, he intends to expand the horizons of space exploration beyond just reaching orbit.

"At SpaceX, I was focused on the technical aspects rather than running a whole company," Mueller stated. "But now, with Impulse Space, we want to make it cheap and easy to get anywhere in the Solar System."

The Mira spacecraft, weighing in at around 650 pounds (300 kg), is designed to optimize its delta-V capability, prioritizing propellant and fuel tanks. Equipped with Saiph thrusters with a specific impulse (ISP) of 290, Mira is a compact machine built for efficiency.

Impulse Space has already secured customers, including Orbit Fab, for future Mira missions. The company plans to deploy the spacecraft on SpaceX's Transporter-11 and -12 missions next year. Mueller anticipates that once Mira demonstrates its capabilities, more customers will come forward.

"We've got a whole bunch of people who are interested, but they want to see us flying successfully," Mueller explained. "I think, really, the floodgates are gonna open on this product line once we fly successfully."

In addition to serving low-Earth orbit, Impulse Space is developing a version of Mira customized for geostationary orbit, capable of withstanding radiation exposure. The company is also working on Rigel, a more powerful thruster, intended for a Mars lander and a larger orbiter vehicle.

Impulse Space continues to attract financial backing despite the challenging fundraising environment. The company recently announced a successful Series A funding round, raising $45 million, with RTX Ventures taking the lead. This follows a previous funding round where the company raised $30 million.

With its sights set on affordable and accessible Solar System exploration, Impulse Space is positioning itself as a key player in the space industry. As Mira embarks on its maiden voyage, the company aims to revolutionize space travel and open up new opportunities for scientific research and exploration.

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