SPACE INDEX COMPANIES INSIGHTS SECTORS PRODUCTS NEWS BLOG ANSWERS RESEARCH ABOUT FOR COMPANIES BUILD / 2026.06.04
NASA logo NASA Conducts civilian space exploration, aeronautics research, and space science across human spaceflight, robotic missions, and Earth observation programs vs Orbex Developed the Prime micro-launch vehicle for dedicated small satellite missions to LEO, using bio-propane fuel and 3D-printed engines Orbex logo
HEAD-TO-HEAD1 shared sector
NASA Orbex
Founded 1958 2015
Headquarters Washington, District of Columbia Forres, United Kingdom
Type government private
Status operating closed
Employees 18,000 178
Total funding $163.1M
Latest round Series D
Sectors Planetary Exploration, Earth Observation & Remote Sensing, Launch Services, Space Stations & Habitats Launch Services, Spaceports & Range Services
Products listed 50 3
Federal contracts
Launches 1 (0%)
Leaders listed Jared Isaacman, Amit Kshatriya, Casey Swails Phil Chambers, Andy Bradford, Charles Platts
News mentions 44 0
SHARED SECTORS
FREQUENTLY ASKED

How do NASA and Orbex compare?

Both companies work in Launch Services. NASA was founded in 1958 and Orbex in 2015.

Which is larger, NASA or Orbex?

NASA reports the larger workforce, with 18,000 employees versus 178.

Which has more launches, NASA or Orbex?

Orbex leads with 1 tracked launches (0% success rate).

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