Main Engine Cut Off T+324: Impulse Space (with Tom Mueller, Founder and CEO)
Mar 17, 2026
Tom Mueller, founder and CEO of Impulse Space and veteran rocket engine engineer, discusses in-space mobility hardware. He recounts Mira’s flight history and Helios’ upcoming launch. He covers propulsion roadmaps from chemical to electric, new Colorado facilities, defense contracts, and plans to move large cargo to the Moon and beyond.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Focused Strategy On In-Space Mobility
- Impulse Space focuses on in-space mobility to move cargo once launch puts mass into orbit.
- Tom Mueller framed the business as providing “stay there” and transit vehicles (Mira for station operations, Helios for high-energy transfers).
Dual Path Propulsion Roadmap
- Impulse is pursuing both chemical and electric propulsion, starting with chemical while staking a claim in EP for the future.
- Mueller emphasized improving solar power and developing an EP test thruster now to enable longer-duration missions later.
Complementary Mira And Helios Roles
- Mira is designed as a multi-year on-orbit host capable of RPO, payload hosting, deployment, and stationkeeping.
- Helios is a high-performance third-stage-like upper stage intended to multiply payload to high-energy orbits like GEO or lunar transfer.