In a bold move that underscores the accelerating race in space logistics and propulsion, Impulse Space has closed a $300 million Series C funding round, led by Linse Capital and joined by DFJ Growth and other existing investors. The preemptive raise, completed less than a year after their $150 million Series B, positions the California-based company to expand its vehicle production and dive deeper into electric propulsion R&D; a strategic pivot that aligns with evolving commercial, defense, and NASA mission needs.
A Strategic Infusion, Not a Desperate Grab
Unlike the usual startup scramble for runway, this raise wasn’t driven by immediate financial need. “We weren’t planning to fundraise this early,” said Eric Romo, Impulse’s president and COO. “But when Linse approached us, we asked, what could we achieve now that we couldn’t before?”
The answer: a lot. With a backlog of 30+ contracts worth nearly $200 million, and strong momentum across both its Mira and Helios in-space vehicles, Impulse now has the fuel to scale production, hire aggressively, and begin serious work on electric propulsion systems—one of the most critical future enablers of deep-space mobility.
Scaling Mira and Helios for a Changing Market
Impulse’s Mira vehicle, designed for agile, short-range orbital maneuvers, is seeing increased demand from the defense sector. One notable deal includes a collaboration with Anduril, whose advanced software will enhance Mira’s role in maneuverable space defense missions—a capability that’s becoming more urgent amid rising geopolitical tensions in orbit.
Meanwhile, Helios, Impulse’s higher-capacity orbital transfer vehicle, is attracting interest from major commercial players. Just last month, satellite operator SES signed a contract for a 2027 mission that will transport a satellite from low Earth orbit (LEO) to geostationary orbit (GEO)— a clear vote of confidence in Impulse’s technological reliability and mission-readiness.
Betting on “Proven Innovation” for Electric Propulsion
Electric propulsion is the new frontier in sustainable, long-duration spaceflight, and Impulse is now stepping into that domain with care. “We’re not chasing moonshots for the sake of hype,” Romo emphasized. “We’ll rely on proven engineering principles— then innovate on cost, reliability, and speed to market.”
Rather than exotic concepts, Impulse aims to build dependable propulsion platforms that serve real missions— whether for NASA’s Moon and Mars initiatives, commercial satellite relocation, or military readiness in cislunar space.
Expansion on Earth to Power Growth in Space
The funding also supports an ambitious physical expansion. With headquarters in Southern California and a budding footprint in Boulder, Colorado, Impulse is on track to significantly increase its workforce— targeting 350 employees by mid-2026, up from the current 225 – 250.
This hiring push will enable the company to accelerate production while maintaining the “vertical integration” that investors like Linse Capital say gives Impulse a competitive edge.
A Space Logistics Powerhouse in the Making
As space becomes more contested and commercialized, companies that can move hardware reliably and affordably between orbits — or even to the Moon and Mars—will shape the next phase of exploration and security. With fresh capital, a fast-growing vehicle backlog, and a focus on scalable propulsion, Impulse Space is now positioning itself as a foundational player in orbital logistics.
“Space isn’t just about getting there anymore,” Romo said. “It’s about what you can do once you arrive — and how you get from point A to B reliably. That’s where Impulse is going to lead.”
