Mission Updates: LEO Express-1

Last updated: Jan 17, 2023

Mission: LEO Express-1 | Status: Ongoing with Primary Mission Objectives Complete | Impulse Vehicle: Mira

Launcher: SpaceX | Mission: Transporter-9 | Site: Vandenberg | Date: November 2023

Overview

LEO Express-1 is the inaugural mission for Impulse’s Orbital Transfer Vehicle (OTV), Mira. Launched on the SpaceX Transporter-9 mission in November 2023, the ongoing mission has achieved the following set of milestones:

Rapid Development: From a blank-sheet design to an operational spacecraft in space in under 15 months.
TRL9 Technology: In-house developed thrusters, valves, ignitors, pressure transducers, star trackers, cameras, core avionics, and lightweight composite overwrapped pressure vessel (COPV) tanks, all achieved TRL 9.
Advanced Software Capabilities: Ground-up builds of new flight software (FSW) and guidance, navigation, and control (GNC) capabilities.
Green Propellants: Rapid propellant loading using environmentally friendly propellants sourced from a domestic supply chain.
Autonomous Operations: Autonomous sun pointing and system checkouts post-deployment.
State-of-the-Art Mission Control: All operations conducted from our state-of-the-art Mission Control center.
Communication and Control: Successfully established two-way communication and control with the vehicle.
Power Positive Operations: Achieved power positive operations ensuring sustained functionality.
3-axis Attitude Control: Demonstrated 3-axis attitude control through 16x reaction control thrusters.
CubeSat Deployment: Successful deployment of a customer's 3U CubeSat.
Thruster Ignition Success: First-try ignition of all eight bi-propellant Saiph thrusters.
Orbital Debris Management: Implemented Orbital Debris Avoidance procedures within 48 hours of notice.

The ongoing LEO Express-1 mission represents a remarkable achievement in rapid spacecraft development, reliable technology, and sustainable space operations. The mission continues to push boundaries, showcasing our advancements and in-space transportation capabilities.

The Impulse team with Mira

Updates

April 3rd, 2024

Update 8: Primary mission objectives complete!

After four months navigating orbit, Mira — our first orbital transfer vehicle — has successfully completed all of its primary mission objectives!

We celebrated the final milestone on Thursday with our eighth and most significant burn: 75 seconds in duration, achieving a 150 km apogee raise. We think this is the largest single maneuver to date by a nitrous-based propulsion system and the largest orbit raise by any OTV on its debut mission. The ability to change an orbit by hundreds of kilometers within minutes demonstrates the type of rapid maneuvering capability Impulse wants to bring to the industry. Mira's time in orbit isn't over yet — we are continuing to test and fly, prepping for our next mission, which will launch later this year.

Delta-v and altitude raise from Mira's eighth burn

March 19th, 2024

Update 7: Imagery of Mira's seventh burn 🔥

Day and night shots of Mira and its Saiph thrusters. The night image shows our seventh burn, where all eight thrusters fired for ~60 seconds. They imparted 34 m/s delta-v, performed a plane change, and lowered Mira's orbit by ~30 km.

Saiph thrusters firing on Mira LEO Express-1

Saiph thrusters on Mira LEO Express-1

Accumulated delta-v from burn #7

December 26th, 2023

Update 6: Dodging Orbital Debris During the Holidays 🎄

Today, our Mira orbit transfer vehicle executed a collision avoidance maneuver in response to a potential collision risk identified by the US Space Force. The maneuver successfully eliminated any possibility of collision! Thanks to our Mission Operations team for working during the holidays to track this risk and react accordingly. Being prepared to perform these maneuvers on short notice is a crucial part of responsible spacecraft operations.

Mira orbital elements during the maneuver

December 21, 2023

Update 5: First-try ignition of all eight bi-propellant Saiph thrusters!

Mira has Impulse! Yesterday marked a major milestone as we executed a flawless first-time firing of all eight 5lb (22N) Saiph thrusters on our orbital transfer vehicle, Mira—hats off to our team for their engineering preparation and a well-tested system.