A quiet revolution is underway in in-space transportation, opening up exciting new possibilities.
This past January, a small spacecraft called Mira, built by Impulse Space in California, launched aboard a Falcon 9 rocket. Once in orbit, the rocket’s upper stage sent Mira and several satellites off on their missions.
Mira, which is an orbital transfer vehicle, successfully dropped off several CubeSats and showcased its abilities through a series of high-thrust maneuvers. This flight was particularly significant as it marked the second mission for Mira, with Impulse excited to test its performance further.
Things took an interesting turn this summer. Impulse Space transferred control of Mira to Starfish Space, a company that had added its own software to the spacecraft. Eric Romo, the president of Impulse, described the experience: “I’d pop my head into mission control and say, ‘Hey, don’t crash the spaceship, please.’” Luckily, Starfish didn’t crash Mira. Instead, they activated its onboard camera and took control.
Founded in 2019, Starfish Space aims to create affordable spacecraft that can help extend the life of satellites. Their goal with Mira was to demonstrate that a lightweight camera system, paired with their guidance software, could autonomously dock with another spacecraft. This was particularly ambitious, as they were trying to connect with the first Mira spacecraft launched back in November 2023, which had no propellant left to steer itself but could still communicate with Impulse’s team.
This transition from one company to another highlights a growing trend in the space industry. Companies are collaborating and sharing technology more than ever. According to a recent report from the Space Foundation, investments in space startups hit a record high in 2022, demonstrating rising interest in innovative space solutions. As more businesses enter the space economy, we can expect more partnerships and shared endeavors that could redefine how we approach space travel and satellite servicing.
As we look to the future, the collaboration between companies like Impulse and Starfish is a promising sign of progress in space transportation. With advancements in technology and shared resources, the possibilities seem limitless.
For further insights into the evolving space industry, check out the [Space Foundation Report](https://www.spacefoundation.org/reports) that tracks these trends.
