Rigel
[research]space · service · 0 deployments in catalog
Manufacturer
Impulse SpaceForm Factor
space
Lifecycle
research
Operational Reality
Audited
Deployments
0
Target Price
Custom Quote
- RESEARCH
Description
180 lbf (~800 N) bipropellant engine in development for Mars lander propulsive descent. Tested at Mojave Air and Space Port. Will perform powered landing on Mars for the joint Impulse/Relativity mission.
Key facts & specs
- website
- https://spacenews.com/impulse-and-relativity-target-2026-for-launch-of-first-mars-lander-mission/
- maturity
- research
- lifecycle
- active
- form factor
- space
- manufacturer
- Impulse Space
- Maturity stage
- research
- Role
- Mars lander descent engine
- Status
- development / test
- Thrust
- ~800 N (180 lbf)
- Autonomy
- n/a (component)
- Propellant
- N2O / ethane (inferred)
Safety record
No incidents on record for Rigel.
FAQ
What is Rigel?
180 lbf (~800 N) bipropellant engine in development for Mars lander propulsive descent. Tested at Mojave Air and Space Port. Will perform powered landing on Mars for the joint Impulse/Relativity mission.
Is Rigel actually deployed in the real world?
Rigel is at the research stage: it exists, but DEPLOY has no verified real-world deployment on record. Manufacturer capability claims should be read as claims pending independent verification.
Who makes Rigel?
Rigel is made by Impulse Space, based in Redondo Beach, California, USA, founded in 2021.
Can you buy Rigel?
Rigel is at research stage and is not yet available for sale.
What are alternatives to Rigel?
On the DEPLOY registry, comparable space robots to Rigel include Chang'e Lander, Mira, W-Series Capsule, spacevan.
How does Rigel compare to Chang'e Lander?
Rigel and Chang'e Lander (China National Space Administration · 4 deployments) are both space robots on the DEPLOY registry. Rigel has 0 verified deployments on record. Compare both records for specs, safety, deployments, and verified-vs-claimed autonomy.
Is Rigel a top space?
On DEPLOY's intelligence score, which blends verified deployments, safety, adoption, media, and IP signals, Rigel ranks in roughly the top 81% of space models tracked by the registry.
What is Rigel's maturity stage?
Rigel is at the research stage on the DEPLOY maturity ladder (research, prototype, pilot, commercial, production). Research stage means active development without commercial deployments on file.
Where is Rigel deployed?
No verified deployments of Rigel are currently on the DEPLOY registry. DEPLOY records deployments only when verified at a named site with a primary source; absence may reflect pre-deployment, research, or manufacturer-internal use.
Is Rigel safe?
Rigel has no incidents on record in the DEPLOY registry. This does not constitute a safety guarantee; it reflects the incidents DEPLOY has tracked and verified to date.