Space Force Awards Impulse Space Up to $31.2 Million for 2029 Orbital Surveillance Mission

The U.S. Space Force has awarded Impulse Space a contract worth up to $31.2 million for a space domain awareness mission scheduled for 2029. The mission will use an optical sensor in low Earth orbit to monitor objects as far away as geosynchronous orbit.

The order adds to the military's use of Impulse Space's Mira orbital transfer vehicle for national security operations. It builds on prior work the company has performed for the military, expanding the Space Force's reliance on the maneuverable spacecraft for surveillance tasks.

The mission is slated for 2029 and will place an optical sensor aboard a Mira vehicle operating in low Earth orbit. From that vantage point, the sensor is intended to track objects across a range extending to geosynchronous orbit. The contract carries a maximum value of $31.2 million.

The award represents an additional Mira order from the Space Force, following earlier Impulse Space efforts for the military. It positions the maneuverable spacecraft in a surveillance role tied to space domain awareness.

The repeat order indicates the Space Force views maneuverable in-space mobility vehicles from the company as an operational capability rather than an experiment. It reflects a continued shift toward commercially built agile spacecraft for surveillance missions.

The mission is set for 2029, the milestone named in the contract.