SPACE INDEX COMPANIES INSIGHTS SECTORS PRODUCTS NEWS BLOG ANSWERS RESEARCH ABOUT FOR COMPANIES BUILD / 2026.06.03
European Space Agency logo European Space Agency Intergovernmental agency coordinating European space programs across science, Earth observation, navigation, telecommunications, and human spaceflight vs Rocket Lab USA Rocket Lab USA logo
HEAD-TO-HEAD1 shared sector
European Space Agency Rocket Lab USA
Founded 1975 2006
Headquarters Paris, France Long Beach, California, USA
Type government public
Status operating operating
Employees 3,739 1,627
Total funding
Latest round
Sectors Planetary Exploration, Earth Observation & Remote Sensing, Launch Services, Navigation & Positioning, Satellite Communications Launch Services, Satellite Components & Subsystems, Satellite Manufacturing
Products listed 8 16
Federal contracts 1 ($7.0M)
Launches 130 (65%)
Leaders listed Josef Aschbacher, Dietmar Pilz, Toni Tolker-Nielsen Sir Peter Beck, Adam Spice, Frank Klein
News mentions 14 0
SHARED SECTORS
FREQUENTLY ASKED

How do European Space Agency and Rocket Lab USA compare?

Both companies work in Launch Services. European Space Agency was founded in 1975 and Rocket Lab USA in 2006.

Which is larger, European Space Agency or Rocket Lab USA?

European Space Agency reports the larger workforce, with 3,739 employees versus 1,627.

Which has more US federal contracts, European Space Agency or Rocket Lab USA?

Rocket Lab USA has been awarded more, with $7.0M across 1 awards.

Which has more launches, European Space Agency or Rocket Lab USA?

Rocket Lab USA leads with 130 tracked launches (65% success rate).

Numbers refresh on every render against the live Space Index database. Federal contract data from USAspending.gov; launches from LaunchLibrary2.