{"id":23747,"date":"2025-08-06T19:54:28","date_gmt":"2025-08-06T11:54:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wp-productionenv-bjg9h2g2bgg5b8aa.southeastasia-01.azurewebsites.net\/news\/impulse-space-unveils-upgraded-mira-spacecraft-expanding-capabilities-beyond-leo\/"},"modified":"2025-08-06T19:54:28","modified_gmt":"2025-08-06T11:54:28","slug":"impulse-space-unveils-upgraded-mira-spacecraft-expanding-capabilities-beyond-leo","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/news\/impulse-space-unveils-upgraded-mira-spacecraft-expanding-capabilities-beyond-leo\/","title":{"rendered":"Impulse Space unveils upgraded Mira spacecraft, expanding capabilities beyond LEO"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Impulse Space, the aerospace firm founded by Tom Mueller\u2014the engineering mastermind behind SpaceX\u2019s Merlin and Draco rocket engines\u2014has announced significant upgrades to its Mira spacecraft, positioning it as a versatile \u201cspace tug\u201d ready to tackle more challenging orbits and missions.\n<\/p>\n<\/p>\n<p><iframe title=\"The Spacecraft That\u2019s Redefining Orbit | Impulse Space Mira\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/PG9uJJxcMtE?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen=\"\" name=\"fitvid0\" data-gtm-yt-inspected-14=\"true\" data-gtm-yt-inspected-21=\"true\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p>Mira serves as an orbital workhorse, akin to a tow truck or delivery van in space. Designed to transport payloads like satellites or scientific experiments between orbits, it also enables in-space services such as repositioning, refueling, or debris removal.<\/p>\n<p>This high-maneuverability vehicle excels in optimizing satellite deployments, particularly in rideshare launches where multiple payloads hitch a ride on a single rocket. With substantial delta-v (change in velocity) capacity, Mira can precisely place or adjust objects in orbit, making it a key player in the growing field of space logistics.<\/p>\n<p>The company has already demonstrated Mira\u2019s prowess through two successful flights: LEO Express-1, launched on SpaceX\u2019s Transporter-9 mission, and LEO Express-2 on Transporter-12.<br \/>\n<img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-108473\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/NSF-2025-08-06-04-32-11-140.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2310\" height=\"1281\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/NSF-2025-08-06-04-32-11-140.jpg 2310w, https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/NSF-2025-08-06-04-32-11-140-350x194.jpg 350w, https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/NSF-2025-08-06-04-32-11-140-630x350.jpg 630w, https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/NSF-2025-08-06-04-32-11-140-768x426.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/NSF-2025-08-06-04-32-11-140-1920x1065.jpg 1920w, https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/NSF-2025-08-06-04-32-11-140-1170x649.jpg 1170w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 2310px) 100vw, 2310px\">The debut flight showcased Impulse\u2019s proprietary technologies, including thrusters, star trackers, core avionics, flight software, and guidance systems. It also successfully deployed a customer payload\u2014a 3U CubeSat for TrustPoint, marking a milestone in commercial operations.<\/p>\n<p>Building on that foundation, LEO Express-2 remains operational in orbit, having released multiple payloads and executed various maneuvers using Impulse\u2019s Saiph thrusters, named after a bright star in the Orion constellation. The vehicle even sports a playful \u201cHow\u2019s my orbital maneuvering?\u201d sticker, reflecting the team\u2019s confidence in its performance.<br \/>\n<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-108474\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/NSF-2025-08-06-04-32-48-329.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2310\" height=\"1281\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/NSF-2025-08-06-04-32-48-329.jpg 2310w, https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/NSF-2025-08-06-04-32-48-329-350x194.jpg 350w, https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/NSF-2025-08-06-04-32-48-329-630x350.jpg 630w, https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/NSF-2025-08-06-04-32-48-329-768x426.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/NSF-2025-08-06-04-32-48-329-1920x1065.jpg 1920w, https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/NSF-2025-08-06-04-32-48-329-1170x649.jpg 1170w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 2310px) 100vw, 2310px\">The latest upgrades propel Mira into harsher environments like Medium Earth Orbit (MEO), Geostationary Orbit (GEO), and beyond. Enhanced reaction wheels and antennas, along with radiation-hardened avionics, ensure reliability amid increased radiation exposure.<\/p>\n<p>Equipped with four in-house-built reaction wheels and star trackers, the spacecraft gains superior precision in orientation\u2014critical for applications like Earth observation, where accurate pointing prevents costly imaging errors.<\/p>\n<p>Power generation sees a major boost as well, with deployable, articulating solar arrays replacing fixed panels. This design more than doubles available power by optimizing sun exposure, supporting demanding payloads and extended operations.<br \/>\n<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-108475\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/NSF-2025-08-06-04-33-52-462.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2310\" height=\"1281\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/NSF-2025-08-06-04-33-52-462.jpg 2310w, https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/NSF-2025-08-06-04-33-52-462-350x194.jpg 350w, https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/NSF-2025-08-06-04-33-52-462-630x350.jpg 630w, https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/NSF-2025-08-06-04-33-52-462-768x426.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/NSF-2025-08-06-04-33-52-462-1920x1065.jpg 1920w, https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/NSF-2025-08-06-04-33-52-462-1170x649.jpg 1170w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 2310px) 100vw, 2310px\">The standout improvement lies in the Saiph thrusters, upgraded from 22 Newtons to 27 Newtons of thrust\u2014a 20% increase across the vehicle\u2019s eight units. Combined with expanded propellant capacity, this yields a 25% enhancement in delta-v. For a 100-kilogram payload, Mira can now achieve 900 meters per second of velocity change, dramatically expanding its reach. In practical terms, it\u2019s like upgrading a local delivery van to one capable of regional hauls.<\/p>\n<p>     (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});<\/p>\n<p>Looking ahead, Impulse is gearing up for LEO Express-3 later this year, incorporating these upgrades.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThis upgraded Mira extends our core capabilities into higher orbits, with the same emphasis on responsiveness, maneuverability, and precision,\u201d said Drew Damon, Vice President of Spacecraft Programs at Impulse Space. \u201cWe\u2019ve now assembled and tested the first full vehicle, complete with customer payloads. We\u2019re excited to put it in orbit later this year.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>The company has also secured two Department of Defense contracts: VICTUS SURGO and VICTUS SALO, focused on tactically responsive space demonstrations. Unlike Firefly\u2019s 2023 VICTUS NOX rapid-launch exercise, these missions emphasize on-orbit readiness. Mira will loiter in space, awaiting tasks such as monitoring potential threats or tracking objects of interest.<br \/>\n<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-108476\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/NSF-2025-08-06-04-35-56-202.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2310\" height=\"1281\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/NSF-2025-08-06-04-35-56-202.jpg 2310w, https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/NSF-2025-08-06-04-35-56-202-350x194.jpg 350w, https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/NSF-2025-08-06-04-35-56-202-630x350.jpg 630w, https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/NSF-2025-08-06-04-35-56-202-768x426.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/NSF-2025-08-06-04-35-56-202-1920x1065.jpg 1920w, https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/NSF-2025-08-06-04-35-56-202-1170x649.jpg 1170w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 2310px) 100vw, 2310px\">While Mira relies on external launches to reach orbit, Impulse\u2019s upcoming Helios kickstage\u2014set to debut next year\u2014will complement it as a \u201clong-haul\u201d tug, capable of moving up to 5 metric tons from Low Earth Orbit to GEO, lunar, or heliocentric orbits. Together, Mira and Helios promise unparalleled in-space maneuverability.<\/p>\n<p>Impulse\u2019s pipeline extends to commercial ventures, including a GEO rideshare program, a multi-launch deal with satellite operator SES, and NASA studies. As space tugs like Mira evolve, they could revolutionize satellite operations, reducing costs and enabling more dynamic orbital ecosystems.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cTo achieve a thriving space economy and reach a true space age, we need to dramatically improve in-space mobility from where it currently stands,\u201d said Mueller, founder and CEO of Impulse Space. \u201cWith its first two missions, Mira has already proven to be a strong step in the right direction, and we\u2019re confident that this updated design will further accelerate opportunities across the commercial, civil, and defense sectors.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/p>\n<p><iframe title=\"Impulse Space CEO Tom Mueller - Propulsion, and Rocket Engines - NSF Live\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/pojbt_bsafo?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen=\"\" name=\"fitvid1\" data-gtm-yt-inspected-14=\"true\" data-gtm-yt-inspected-21=\"true\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Impulse Space, the aerospace firm founded by Tom Mueller\u2014the engineering mastermind behind SpaceX\u2019s Merlin and Draco rocket engines\u2014has announced significant upgrades to its Mira spacecraft, positioning it as a versatile \u201cspace tug\u201d ready to tackle more challenging orbits and missions. Mira serves as an orbital workhorse, akin to a tow truck or delivery van in [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"inline_featured_image":false,"footnotes":"","_links_to":"","_links_to_target":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[7952,7964],"class_list":["post-23747","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-news","tag-impulse","tag-space-tug"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/23747"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=23747"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/23747\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=23747"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=23747"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=23747"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}