Space tech startups Impulse, Muon, fusion venture Proxima raise funding, AC setting rules in India

Daily brief on deep tech and climate tech news from India and around the world.Impulse Space raises $300 million to expand space tug fleet for satellite mobilityImpulse Space, founded by former SpaceX engineer Tom Mueller, has raised $300 million in a funding round led by Linse Capital, bringing total funding to $525 million, Reuters reports.The startup develops “space tugs” to move satellites between orbits, addressing rising demand for in-space mobility across commercial, civil, and defense sectors. With over 30 contracts secured, the funds will help scale production, expand the team, and accelerate R&D for future orbital transport missions.Listen to the podcastMuon Space raises $146 million to scale satellite constellation manufacturing and propulsion techMuon Space, in Silicon Valley, has secured $146 million in Series B funding to expand satellite production, vertically integrate propulsion and sensing systems, and scale its automated constellation operations platform, Tech Funding News reports. The funding, led by Congruent Ventures, follows a 50 percent workforce increase and over $100 million in contracts in 2024.Muon also acquired Starlight Engines to bring solid-state propulsion in-house, supporting faster, safer, and more cost-effective satellite deployments for commercial and defense customers.Proxima Fusion raises $148 million in record round to build stellarator fusion power plantsIn Europe, German startup Proxima Fusion has secured €130 million ($148 million) in a record-breaking Series A funding round, the largest private fusion investment in Europe, CNBC reports.Led by Cherry Ventures and Balderton Capital, the funding will accelerate development of Proxima’s stellarator-based fusion power plants, with the goal of achieving a hardware demonstration by 2027 and commercial-scale plants in the 2030s. Founded in 2023 as a Max Planck Institute spin-out, Proxima aims to make clean, limitless fusion energy a reality for Europe’s future.UK invests $340 million to accelerate clean tech and zero-emission air travelThe UK government will invest £250 million ($340 million) in clean aviation technology, supporting projects focused on zero-emission flying, hydrogen and fuel cell systems, and lightweight materials, Reuters reports.Announced at the Paris Airshow, the funding — led by Airbus, Rolls-Royce, and academic partners — aims to spur private investment, create jobs, and strengthen the aerospace sector. The initiative also seeks to boost start-ups and ready the supply chain for greener air travel.AC setting rules in IndiaHere in India, the government plans to mandate air conditioner temperature settings between 20°C and 28°C for all ACs to improve energy efficiency and reduce electricity bills as ownership surges. Some expert engineers, such as Yash Tak, founder of Standard Volumes, a new-age construction consultancy and services venture in Bengaluru, have argued that this alone isn’t enough and that better building planning and using more scientifically appropriate materials in construction is crucial.India’s Northeast, a data centre destinationThe Northeast region of India is being positioned as a $100 billion data center opportunity, leveraging its cool climate and renewable energy prospects.In ConversationIn-depth conversations with entrepreneurs, investors, industry leaders and other stakeholders building India’s deep tech and climate tech ecosystems.