COMPANY INFO
Impulse Space is a private aerospace and defense company founded in 2021 by Tom Mueller, headquartered in Redondo Beach, California. The company develops in-space transportation technology and services, including orbital transfer vehicles and rocket engines, to enable satellites to reach various orbits beyond Low Earth Orbit. Its website is www.impulsespace.com, and it employs approximately 158 to 210 people.
Impulse Space is a leading private aerospace and defense company, founded in 2021 by Tom Mueller. The company develops advanced in-space transportation technology and services, enabling satellites and payloads to reach orbits far beyond Low Earth Orbit through their proprietary propulsion systems and orbital transfer vehicles.
Impulse Space executives bring deep expertise in propulsion engineering, commercial space development, and high-growth operations. The Impulse Space leadership has a strong track record in the aerospace sector, with many team members having previously contributed to ground-breaking work at SpaceX and other innovative companies. Their collective backgrounds strengthen the company’s ability to scale production, execute complex missions, and drive industry advancements.
As Thomas Mueller, Founder, CEO, and CTO, he leads the vision, technology roadmap, and strategic growth of Impulse Space. Tom has assembled a top-tier aerospace team and oversees innovation across propulsion and spacecraft, directly impacting Impulse Space’s technological achievements and positioning the company as a leader in in-space transportation and payload delivery.
With 16 years as Propulsion CTO and Vice President of Propulsion Engineering at SpaceX, Tom led the development of the legendary Merlin and Draco rocket engines. He holds an MS in Mechanical Engineering from Loyola Marymount University and a BS in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Idaho, establishing him as one of the most influential figures among Impulse Space founders and the broader newspace movement.
Eric Romo joined as President and COO in July 2024 and is responsible for the operational management and rapid scaling of Impulse Space’s business. He has played a pivotal role in fundraising efforts and the commercialization of key spacecraft platforms such as Mira and Helios, underlining his impact on the company’s recent growth and market reach.
Eric holds an MBA from Stanford and is a mechanical engineer by training. He was an early SpaceX propulsion team member, founded GreenVolts, and AltspaceVR (acquired by Microsoft), and served as a product lead at Facebook Reality Labs and Meta’s Metaverse team, giving him wide-ranging expertise in both hardware and software for world-class technology firms.
Barry Matsumori serves as Chief Operating Officer, driving Impulse Space’s operational strategy and the execution of key propulsion and spacecraft programs. His oversight ensures high performance and efficiency across the company’s engineering teams and facility operations.
Barry is a seasoned aerospace operations executive with broad experience in leading complex engineering projects. His leadership is instrumental in advancing Impulse Space’s reputation for reliability and technical excellence within the space industry.
Kevin Miller has been VP of Propulsion since 2021, directing all propulsion system development, integration, and testing efforts at Impulse Space. He has steered significant engineering milestones in powering the company’s in-space transportation vehicles, directly influencing the company’s capabilities and competitive edge.
Kevin spent over 16 years at SpaceX focused on propulsion, including major roles in Raptor engine development. He holds MS and BS degrees in Aerospace Engineering from Purdue University, underpinning his expertise among Impulse Space management team members.
Ryan Wiltshire is the VP of Business Development, spearheading the expansion of Impulse Space’s commercial footprint through sales and strategic partnerships. His leadership has been crucial in forging relationships with key clients and broadening market opportunities for the company’s in-space delivery services.
Ryan’s background includes leadership roles at Rocket Lab, Kepler Communications, and GE Additive. He holds an MBA as well as dual engineering degrees from the University of Michigan, blending business development acumen with technical know-how—a critical trait for Impulse Space executives.
Drew Damon leads spacecraft program management, mission execution, and delivery through his role as VP of Spacecraft Programs. Drew oversees and advances LEO Express and other high-profile missions for the company, ensuring quality and timely execution.
A former SpaceX propulsion engineer, Drew’s experience centers on advanced propulsion systems, particularly the Raptor engine. He earned a BS in Aerospace Engineering from Purdue University, further solidifying his technical pedigree within the Impulse Space leadership team.
Margaret Abernathy serves as General Counsel and VP of Government Relations, managing legal strategy, compliance, and government affairs. Margaret has been instrumental in securing vital contracts and guiding the company’s interface with regulatory bodies, supporting robust and compliant growth.
She is a registered U.S. Patent Attorney with a JD from USC Gould School of Law and a BSE from Duke University. Margaret previously worked in legal roles at SpaceX and Phase Four, adding specialized aerospace regulatory expertise to Impulse Space’s management team.
Paul Seebacher is responsible for overseeing all spacecraft production processes as the VP of Manufacturing. His focus on quality assurance and process improvement ensures that Impulse Space delivers cutting-edge vehicles at scale.
Paul is an experienced leader in aerospace manufacturing and operations, driving efficiency and excellence across multiple manufacturing facilities.
Carl Haken, as VP of Avionics, leads the design and development of electronics and embedded systems for space vehicles. Carl’s engineering leadership is instrumental in ensuring the resiliency and sophistication of Impulse Space’s avionics solutions.
Previously a Senior Power Electronics Engineer at SpaceX, Carl holds a Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering from University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. His expertise in building electronics for space and harsh environments is a critical asset for the Impulse Space management team.
Dane Sarcone oversees the rigorous testing and validation of propulsion systems and spacecraft. Dane plays a central role in ensuring the performance and mission reliability of all in-space transportation technology developed by the company.
As an experienced test engineer, Dane brings extensive aerospace engineering knowledge to the Impulse Space leadership team, specializing in propulsion system validation.
The Impulse Space leadership team is composed of experienced aerospace executives, engineers, and business strategists, many with deep roots in the newspace sector and key roles at pioneering companies like SpaceX. This highly collaborative group reflects a blend of technical innovation, operational excellence, and strategic market vision. The company maintains an effective management structure, combining cross-functional teamwork and deep subject-matter expertise to drive growth, ensure product reliability, and maintain their competitive edge in the rapidly evolving space sector.
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