Defense technology company Anduril Industries and propulsion startup Impulse Space on September 16 announced they will jointly build and fly a demonstration satellite designed for rendezvous and proximity operations (RPO).

The project is self-funded and will test maneuvering capabilities that the U.S. Space Force has identified as critical for future missions.

Anduril’s senior vice president of engineering, Gokul Subramanian, said the goal is to prove the value of “freedom of maneuver” in orbit. This means spacecraft will be able to reposition themselves quickly and reliably to complete defense missions.

Impulse president Eric Romo agreed, noting that after their first mission, the Space Force made it clear that high-thrust, maneuverable satellites are a priority.

China has also been advancing satellite maneuver technology and experimenting with close-approach operations. Its growing presence in orbit has pushed the U.S. to speed up new programs for space awareness and protection.

Impulse’s role and technology

The propulsion startup is supplying its Mira spacecraft, integrated with the Helios kick stage powered by the Deneb engine. Helios is designed to act like a fast courier, pushing satellites from low Earth orbit (LEO) to geostationary orbit (GEO) in less than a day.

GEO lies about 36,000 miles above Earth and is home to many high-value military and communication satellites.

The company has secured several contracts in recent years, including a $34.5 million deal in 2024 with the Space Force and Defense Innovation Unit to support rapid-response missions. The company’s kick stage is pitched as a way to compress months-long orbital transfers into just hours.

As reported by Breaking Defense, Subramanian explained that the decision to test in GEO was deliberate, since most of the Space Force’s most important assets operate there.

Romo added that the same spacecraft design could also work in LEO with only minor changes, giving the system flexibility across different missions.

Anduril’s contribution

Anduril will provide the mission payloads. These include a long-wave infrared (LWIR) imager, a mission data processor based on its Lattice software, and additional sensors from third parties.

The LWIR imager allows satellites to see very dim targets and objects hidden in Earth’s shadow. Subramanian highlighted that this capability is vital for tracking satellites during eclipses or when sunlight is absent.

The Space Force already uses the Lattice software under a 2024 contract to connect its Space Surveillance Network. With this integration, the demo satellite will be able to autonomously track, identify, and approach other satellites in orbit.

According to the companies, these technologies will help U.S. operators perform RPO more safely and with greater precision. The mission will also demonstrate how commercial firms can deliver military-grade solutions at lower cost.

Commercial deals and future plans

Impulse is not focusing only on defense. The company announced multiple commercial partnerships to showcase its Helios system. Astranis, a GEO communications startup, has signed up for a 2027 mission that will use Helios to deliver its MicroGEO satellites from LEO to GEO quickly.

This will allow Astranis customers to begin broadband services much sooner than current timelines permit.

The orbital transport venture also signed a multi-launch agreement with Infinite Orbits of France to carry servicing satellites to GEO. The program, called Caravan, will deliver multiple spacecraft in one trip. The first Caravan mission is already fully booked for 2026.

The joint Anduril–Impulse demonstration mission is planned for late 2026 aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket. The Mira spacecraft, weighing about 300 kilograms (661 pounds) without payloads, will fly alongside other satellites, including one for the Space Force’s Victus Surgo mission.

While most recent space industry growth has centered on LEO, both companies believe GEO is the next frontier for innovation.