Recognized as one of the world’s foremost propulsion experts, Tom Mueller brings unparalleled expertise in advanced propulsion architectures, rapid development cycles, and flight-proven engineering to Boom Supersonic as a member of the Advisory Council. 

As founder and CEO of Impulse Space, an in-space propulsion company, Tom leads the development of chemical propulsion systems, orbital transfer vehicles, and planetary landers. He founded Impulse to improve mobility in space—starting with “last mile” delivery for satellites launched on rideshare missions, such as those on SpaceX’s Falcon 9, and eventually expanding transportation services to include geostationary orbit, the Moon, and beyond.

Tom’s career spans more than three decades of breakthrough engineering. Before founding Impulse Space in 2021, he was a founding member of SpaceX (and its first employee). As Vice President of Propulsion Engineering and later CTO of Propulsion, Tom led the development of the Merlin, Draco, and SuperDraco engine families—systems that powered the Falcon launch vehicles and Dragon spacecraft and helped transform the economics of space access. Prior to SpaceX, he spent 15 years at TRW Inc., managing propulsion and combustion products and contributing to the TR-106, one of the largest hydrogen engines ever built. 

Tom holds a BS in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Idaho and an MS in Mechanical Engineering from Loyola Marymount University. Originally from St. Maries, Idaho, he grew up building and flying rockets—a passion that he continues today through hands-on engineering, mentoring, and time spent outdoors.