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 Rocket Lab USA Rocket Lab USA logo
HEAD-TO-HEAD1 shared sector
NASA Rocket Lab USA
Founded 1958 2006
Headquarters Washington, District of Columbia Long Beach, California
Type government public
Status operating operating
Employees 18,000 1,627
Total funding
Latest round
Sectors Planetary Exploration, Earth Observation & Remote Sensing, Launch Services, Space Stations & Habitats Launch Services, Satellite Components & Subsystems, Satellite Manufacturing
Products listed 50 16
Federal contracts 1 ($7.0M)
Launches 130 (65%)
Leaders listed Jared Isaacman, Amit Kshatriya, Casey Swails Sir Peter Beck, Adam Spice, Frank Klein
News mentions 44 0
SHARED SECTORS
FREQUENTLY ASKED

How do NASA and Rocket Lab USA compare?

Both companies work in Launch Services. NASA was founded in 1958 and Rocket Lab USA in 2006.

Which is larger, NASA or Rocket Lab USA?

NASA reports the larger workforce, with 18,000 employees versus 1,627.

Which has more US federal contracts, NASA or Rocket Lab USA?

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

Which has more launches, NASA 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.