CisLunar Industries Selected for $1.9M Space Force Contract for Revolutionary Space Power and Propulsion Technology

Loveland, CO – June 24, 2025 – CisLunar Industries, a pioneering space technology company, has been selected for a $1.9 million contract by the U.S. Space Force to develop the Interoperable Modular Power Unit for Lightweight and Scalable Electric Propulsion (IMPULSE). This groundbreaking 24-month program, managed by the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) at Edwards Air Force Base in California, aims to revolutionize space maneuverability and sustainment capabilities for both military and commercial satellites.

The IMPULSE program will develop an advanced, dual-mode electric propulsion system that addresses critical technology gaps in current space propulsion methods. The IMPULSE system features dual-mode capability, with a single Power Processing Unit (PPU) supporting both high-efficiency Hall Effect and high-thrust Arcjet propulsion systems, offering real-time optionality in propulsion modes and features. State-of-the-art technology - especially advanced GaN semiconductors - enhances resiliency, improves thermal efficiency, and delivers industry-leading performance in size, weight, and power (SWaP).

With this award, the U.S. Space Force signals demand for the strategic benefits offered by the IMPULSE system. Leveraging efficiency without sacrificing thrust opens new doors to success in satellite operations and servicing in contested and congested environments. Beyond its military applications, IMPULSE offers substantial benefits to commercial customers, including not only the same optionality and design features, but also modular design to reduce non-recurring engineering costs and time.  The total market for electric propulsion is estimated at $5B, doubling to $10B by 2032.

Collaborative Effort

CisLunar Industries has assembled a world-class team of partners for this project, including Lockheed Martin, Safran Space, Plasma Controls, LLC, Colorado State University, Georgia Tech, and Verimod.

Joe Pawelski, CTO at CisLunar Industries, stated, "We are thrilled to embark on this innovative project that will significantly advance space propulsion technology and enable dynamic space operations with modular configurable power electronics. The IMPULSE system will play a crucial role in maintaining U.S. superiority in orbital operations and open new possibilities for commercial space applications."

“We are very proud to have been selected by CisLunar Industries to support their groundbreaking project by providing our electric propulsion technology and expertise. This collaboration will enable the demonstration of a hybrid propulsion system, combining chemical propulsion with our proven advanced electric thrusters already used by industry,” said Pier Roviera, President of Space Solutions at Safran Space and Defense, Inc. “With over 40 units currently operating in orbit, the Safran PPS®5000 stands as the most efficient and highest-performing 5kW Hall Effect Thruster available on the market today.”

“At Lockheed Martin, we’re always looking for ways to provide our customers advanced mission capabilities and we recognized CisLunar Industries’ IMPULSE system could reimagine how we approach electric propulsion power processing for orbital transfers, on-orbit servicing and long-duration missions,” says Jeff Schrader, Vice President of Strategy and Business Development at Lockheed Martin Space. “We’re excited to collaborate with this innovative, small company and offer our space exploration and defense mission expertise to help advance this important technology.”

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About CisLunar Industries:

CisLunar Industries provides critical power and manufacturing infrastructure for the space industrial economy. We process power for electric propulsion, beaming, sensing and computing, spacecraft and base operations, data centers, and manufacturing operations, including our own metal-processing technologies. From just above Earth to the Moon, Mars, and all the space in between, we make everything that runs on electricity in space run with more efficiency, resiliency, and scalability.

For more information, visit: www.cislunarindustries.com. 

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About Safran Spacecraft Propulsion:

Safran is an international high-technology group, operating in the aviation (propulsion, equipment and interiors), defense and space markets. Its core purpose is to contribute to a safer, more sustainable world, where air transport is more environmentally friendly, comfortable and accessible.

For more information, visit: https://www.safran-group.com/

For more information, please contact:

Ubaldo Ciminieri ubaldo@cislunarindustries.com +1 303.725.9417