OPINION | Mission-Driven Partnerships: Unlocking Rapid Deployment of Satellite Constellations

The global space industry is evolving rapidly. From real-time Earth observation to high-speed connectivity, the demand for space-based services is surging. Yet for startups and emerging space-tech companies, there’s a critical challenge: how to move from technological breakthroughs to operational constellations quickly, reliably, and affordably.

A truly transformative paradigm is emerging to solve this challenge: mission-driven partnerships. This innovative approach, which Impulso.Space champions, involves a profound, close alignment between satellite developers and launch service providers right from the inception of a project. By fostering such deep collaboration, these partnerships are uniquely positioned to streamline the entire deployment process and dramatically accelerate the scale-up of satellite constellations. A case in point? The collaboration between GalaxEye, an Indian Earth observation innovator, and Impulso.Space, a European provider of integrated launch services.

From Innovation to Orbit: The GalaxEye Breakthrough

GalaxEye has developed a world-first: a satellite imaging system that combines synthetic aperture radar (SAR) with optical sensors in a single platform. This unique architecture enables high-resolution, all-weather, day-and-night imaging, ideal for critical applications like climate monitoring, disaster response, and national security.

With its first demonstration satellite nearing launch, GalaxEye is looking to scale its platform into a full constellation. That journey, however, involves more than just technical readiness. It demands industrial scaling, streamlined logistics, and dependable, cost-effective access to space.

Why Constellations Stall: The Deployment Bottleneck

While satellite innovation is moving fast, the path to orbit often gets blocked by a set of familiar obstacles:

• Fragmented supply chains and lack of vertical integration

• Limited launch flexibility for small payloads

• Long lead times for integration and manifesting

• High upfront costs without adaptive financial models

In this environment, launch is too often treated as a one-time transaction, rather than as a strategic component of the mission lifecycle.

Rethinking Launch: The Impulso.Space Mode

Impulso.Space brings a new approach to market: fully integrated, end-to-end launch services designed for agile satellite operators. Their offering includes:

• Mission Design Support: Early alignment of launch profiles with satellite specs

• Launch Aggregation: Access to a portfolio of launch vehicles and orbits

• Modular Integration: Standardized adapters and flexible payload accommodation

• Operational Coordination: Ground segment and regulatory readiness

This holistic, vertically integrated model reduces delays, de-risks missions, and enables faster time to orbit.

The Power of Mission-Driven Partnerships

In a mission-driven partnership, launch becomes more than logistics; it becomes a strategic enabler. Key elements include:

• Shared goals from the technology demo to full deployment

• Joint roadmap planning for capacity and resource alignment

• Flexible scheduling and pricing to match evolving needs

• Mutual commitment to long-term mission success

This level of collaboration fosters trust, streamlines operations, and unlocks the potential for co-innovation across the value chain.

Case Study: GalaxEye + Impulso.Space

The partnership between GalaxEye and Impulso.Space illustrates this approach in action:

• In-Orbit Demonstration: Impulso.Space is enabling GalaxEye’s first satellite launch, customizing the timeline and mission conditions for optimal demonstration.

• Scalable Launch Access: Joint roadmap planning ensures GalaxEye has guaranteed access to launch capacity as its constellation grows.

• Financial Flexibility: With options for mixed-plate or full-plate integration, GalaxEye can deploy affordably under multiple rollout scenarios.

From Demo to Deployment: An Industrial Approach

Successfully moving from a one-off launch to full constellation deployment demands a fundamental shift in how missions are managed. The Impulso.Space partnership model, exemplified with GalaxEye, seamlessly integrates:

• Production Synchronization: Aligning satellite manufacturing cycles with precise launch timelines to eliminate bottlenecks.

• Logistics Standardization: Implementing streamlined workflows from initial testing right through to final delivery at the launch site.

• Quality Assurance: Ensuring coordinated QA and robust risk management across all stages of the mission.

• Recurrent Service Agreements: Offering multi-launch contracts with built-in schedule flexibility, providing long-term predictability.

  
  

As more operators scale toward persistent, global coverage, models like this highlight the importance of repeatability, system integration, and mutual alignment between satellite builders and launch providers. The next step is not just refining the tech, but rethinking the ecosystem around it.

The need for reliability and streamlined missions is greater than ever. It is time to meet it.

Author

Pietro Guerrieri is the CEO and founder of Impulso.Space, established in 2019 after a decades-long career in satellite operations and leadership roles at Eutelsat, SES Astra, and D-Orbit. Over 35 years, he directly managed the operations of more than 30 satellites. In addition to his technical expertise, his background includes sales, business development, corporate strategy, and foresight. At Impulso.Space, he applies this combined experience to the practical challenges of satellite launch preparation and logistics. Since its founding, the company has supported 15 missions and successfully launched 37 satellites.