D-Start

D-Start (OOO "D-Start") is a Russian startup developing miniature propulsion systems for femto- and pico-class ultra-small spacecraft weighing under 100 grams, under the Impulse engine family brand. The company was established through Russia's National Technology Initiative (NTI) ecosystem, connected to Omsk State Technical University and Samara University's Commercial Space Center, and holds Skolkovo resident status. The Impulse engine family includes the Impulse-C solar thermal sublimation thruster, the Impulse-A high-thrust single-pulse engine, and the Impulse-U educational university variant, designed to enable orbital maneuvering capability for the smallest class of spacecraft. D-Start is also exploring a novel kinetic propulsion concept leveraging collisions with space debris particles as an energy source for thrust generation in ultra-low-mass satellite platforms. The company received grant funding from Russia's Innovation Assistance Fund (Fond sodeistviya innovatsiyam) in 2022 and has been accepted into multiple Russian startup accelerators. D-Start's technology targets the emerging femtosatellite and ultra-small spacecraft market as the minimum viable satellite form factor continues to shrink.