Jake and Anthony are joined by Tom Mueller, founder, CEO, and CTO of Impulse Space and former Propulsion CTO at SpaceX. They discuss Impulse Space's recent first mission to space, exploring topics such as rocket design, reaching geostationary orbit, plans for Mars, spin launch concept, upcoming Leo Express missions, and the debate around hot staging in Starship launches.
Leo Express One is a significant mission for Impulse Space, serving as a demonstration flight that could open up opportunities for future Mars missions.
Tom Mueller advocates for hot staging as a way to optimize launch efficiency, referencing its historical success and encouraging SpaceX to embrace it.
Impulse Space plans for future missions, envisions space as a crucial destination for mining and expansion, and focuses on building blocks and expertise gained at SpaceX to prepare for the future of commercial space exploration.
Deep dives
Leo Express One mission and its significance
Leo Express One is a significant mission for Impulse Space. It is currently in space and serves as a demonstration flight for the company. The mission aims to land on Mars and send back video and pictures to confirm its successful landing. The spacecraft itself has a world-class design and if the mission proves successful, it could open up opportunities to offer payloads for future Mars missions. Impulse Space has plans for Leo Express Two and Three, which could further expand their presence in the space industry.
The importance of hot staging in rockets
Tom Mueller expresses his support for hot staging and believes it is the right thing to do. While some may have concerns and push back on the concept, hot staging can significantly reduce weight and increase payload capacity for rockets. Mueller references the historical success of hot staging used by vehicles like Titan and the Russian rockets. He encourages SpaceX to embrace hot staging and overcome any challenges in order to optimize launch efficiency.
Future plans for Impulse Space and the challenges ahead
Impulse Space has plans for future missions, including Leo Express Two and possibly Leo Express Three, depending on market demand. The company aims to offer cost-effective solutions for space exploration and resource exploitation. Tom Mueller envisions a future where the resources of Earth are finite and space becomes a crucial destination for mining and expansion. By focusing on building blocks and utilizing the expertise gained at SpaceX, Impulse Space aims to be prepared for the future of commercial space exploration and transportation.
The excitement and potential of asteroid exploration
Tom Mueller admits his fascination with asteroids and their untapped potential. He believes asteroids hold valuable resources such as water and metals, making them economically significant. Mueller sees asteroids as intriguing destinations that can offer exciting opportunities for scientific research and resource extraction. He emphasizes the need to explore and exploit these celestial bodies for future space endeavors.
Upcoming missions and following Impulse Space's progress
Impulse Space has Leo Express Two planned for next year, with payloads ready to sign on for the mission. The company remains focused on the success of their missions and ensuring the reliability and functionality of their spacecraft. As they continue to deliver successful missions, the demand and interest in their services are expected to increase, paving the way for future achievements and developments in the space industry.
Jake and Anthony are joined by Tom Mueller, founder, CEO, and CTO of Impulse Space and former Propulsion CTO at SpaceX. We’ll talk about what Impulse Space is up to, including their literally-just-launched first mission to space.
Impulse Space on X: “Any company’s first launch of their product is always an incredible feat. But for Impulse, ours is a little more special because of the journey it took to get here. We moved into a new 55,000 sq ft facility in Redondo Beach in March of 2023…”
