Impulse Space is Planning Multi-Ton Cargo Deliveries for Sustainable Lunar Presence

Impulse Space, developing the in-space mobility infrastructure to accelerate our future beyond Earth, led by renowned propulsion expert Tom Mueller, Eric Romo, Kevin Miller, and others, has announced a Helios and Impulse-made lander combination, estimated to deliver up to 6 tons of payload mass to the Moon (across two missions) per year starting in 2028 at a cost-effective price point.

The Space Race once promised a bold future beyond Earth, inspiring generations with rapid innovation and optimism. Yet that vision remains only partly fulfilled. To help realize it, Impulse Space focuses on advancing in-space mobility, enabling scientific, commercial, and government missions to reach their destinations efficiently and reliably. Having established operations in Earth’s orbits, the company is now expanding its roadmap toward the Moon and beyond.

There’s currently a major gap in lunar cargo delivery for midsized payloads (0.5–13 tons), such as rovers, power systems, or habitation modules. While NASA’s CLPS program focuses on small payloads and HLS vehicles target large crewed missions, the infrastructure needed for a sustainable lunar presence requires near-term, multi-ton cargo capability. Impulse aims to bridge this gap with a new architecture that combines its existing Helios kick stage with a custom lunar lander. Helios would launch on a medium- or heavy-lift rocket, carry the lander to lunar orbit, and enable descent to the surface without in-space refueling. This integrated system could deliver up to 6 tons of cargo annually by 2028, offering a cost-effective path to accelerate lunar infrastructure, resource utilization, and economic activity.

This approach leverages proven launch vehicles, the in-development Helios kick stage, and in-house, flight-tested components to reduce risk and accelerate deployment. The lunar lander engine builds on Mira’s successful nitrous-ethane thrusters, offering efficient, throttleable, and restartable performance for reliable lunar operations. These capabilities enable rapid, scalable, and low-risk lunar cargo transport.

The Moon plays a critical role in building a sustainable space economy by supporting long-term human presence, enabling resource utilization, and lowering the cost of in-space mobility. Its weaker gravity allows efficient transport of materials to LEO, while natural resources like Helium-3 offer strategic value. Reliable near-term cargo delivery is essential to fully capitalize on these opportunities. Advancing lunar access aligns with NASA’s goals and U.S. leadership in space, paving the way for future exploration deeper into the Solar System.