Inside This SpaceX Billionaire’s Mission To Build A Fleet Of Outer Space Taxis

Tom Mueller, a former SpaceX engineer, founded Impulse Space in 2021 to develop spacecraft focused on in-space mobility rather than launches from Earth. Based in Redondo Beach, California, the company targets fast transport of satellites, cargo, and eventually people between orbits, using liquid methane and liquid oxygen engines to cut travel time from months to a single day. Mueller compares the efficiency to swapping ships for airplanes, emphasizing speed as a key selling point for customers in a rapidly expanding space industry. Global space spending is projected to grow from $600 billion in 2023 to $1.8 trillion by 2035, with venture capital pouring $55.3 billion into space startups last year. Impulse has raised over $1 billion and was valued at $4.3 billion earlier this month, positioning Mueller as a billionaire with stakes in both SpaceX and Impulse. The company is now racing against time to establish itself as a leader in a market that remains largely undefined, with demand for fast orbital transport still uncertain. Mueller’s vision extends beyond Earth’s orbit, targeting the moon and Mars as potential destinations for Impulse’s spacecraft. He argues that near-Earth asteroids and the moon contain vast resources like metals, silicon, and water, which could alleviate Earth’s resource constraints if harnessed. However, he acknowledges that building a space economy requires overcoming current limitations, including the lack of established infrastructure for in-space operations. The startup’s approach contrasts with traditional electric propulsion systems, which are slower but more fuel-efficient. Impulse’s spacecraft prioritize speed, with half their mass dedicated to propellant to enable rapid orbital transfers. This strategy aligns with Mueller’s belief that exponential growth in sectors like AI will strain Earth’s resources, making space exploration and resource utilization critical for the future. Analysts like Chris Quilty note that the markets for Impulse’s services—such as satellite repositioning, lunar missions, and military payloads—are still speculative. Despite the uncertainty, Mueller is investing heavily, betting that demand will materialize as the space economy matures. With SpaceX’s upcoming $75 billion IPO signaling massive capital inflows into the sector, Impulse is positioning itself to capitalize on the next phase of space innovation.