Impulse Space Secures $500 Million for Hiring Spree, Sets Sights on High Maneuverability
SpaceX veteran Tom Mueller’s latest venture, Impulse Space, raises significant funds to expand its team and advance in-space mobility technology.
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Imagine a startup with the same vision as SpaceX but focusing on maneuverable spacecraft. That's precisely what Impulse Space, founded by former SpaceX engine guru Tom Mueller, has become. This week, the company announced a $500 million Series D funding round led by 137 Ventures and BANNER VC, with contributions from Founders Fund, Lux Capital, and Linse Capital.
The influx of capital isn't just about expanding Impulse's balance sheet; it's a strategic move to hire up to 200 new employees. This hiring spree is happening at a time when aerospace talent is in high demand, making the move even more significant. President and COO Eric Romo told TechCrunch that these funds will be used not only for hiring but also for building and testing more space vehicles.
But what makes Impulse unique? It's all about in-space mobility. The company has developed a platform called Mira, designed to meet the needs of U.S. Space Force buyers. They're also working on Helios, a vehicle that can rapidly deploy satellites to high orbits after they are dropped off in space closer to Earth.
Romo emphasized the importance of practical engineering over AI in solving real-world problems. 'Designing, analyzing, building, and testing—there's no substitute for these steps,' he said. While Impulse is adopting AI coding tools for software teams, Romo believes deep learning models aren’t quite ready to tackle hardware design challenges yet.
Impulse’s journey from a propulsion-focused startup to a full-fledged spacecraft builder required the addition of expertise in vehicle structures and flight computers. To attract top talent, Impulse recently opened an office in Colorado, where aerospace professionals have more options today—Los Angeles, Seattle, Denver, or Texas.
Impulse's next big move is another launch of its Mira spacecraft, following a successful third flight late last year. Despite encountering issues with the navigation system that led to early propellant expenditure, Romo is confident about the upcoming mission scheduled for before the end of the year.
