Rocket engine startup Impulse raises $500 million to hire people, not AI

Impulse Space, founded by former SpaceX propulsion chief Tom Mueller, raised $500 million in a Series D led by 137 Ventures and BANNER VC.

The company plans to hire up to 200 people and use the capital to build and test more spacecraft for in-space mobility missions.

Leadership said AI tools can help with software, but hardware development still relies on traditional design, simulation, and testing.

Impulse is also preparing another Mira launch after a prior flight ran into a navigation-related propellant issue.