SPACE INDEX COMPANIES INSIGHTS SECTORS PRODUCTS NEWS BLOG ANSWERS RESEARCH ABOUT FOR COMPANIES BUILD / 2026.06.04
Orbex logo Orbex Developed the Prime micro-launch vehicle for dedicated small satellite missions to LEO, using bio-propane fuel and 3D-printed engines vs PLD Space Develops reusable launch vehicles for dedicated and rideshare small satellite missions, with in-house liquid propulsion and vertically integrated manufacturing PLD Space logo
HEAD-TO-HEAD1 shared sector
Orbex PLD Space
Founded 2015 2011
Headquarters Forres, United Kingdom Elche, Spain
Type private private
Status closed operating
Employees 178 335
Total funding $163.1M $90.2M
Latest round Series D Debt
Sectors Launch Services, Spaceports & Range Services Launch Services, Space Propulsion, Suborbital & High-Altitude
Products listed 3 4
Federal contracts
Launches 1 (0%) 3 (33%)
Leaders listed Phil Chambers, Andy Bradford, Charles Platts Ezequiel Sanchez, Raul Torres, Raul Verdu
News mentions 0 0
SHARED SECTORS
FREQUENTLY ASKED

How do Orbex and PLD Space compare?

Both companies work in Launch Services. Orbex was founded in 2015 and PLD Space in 2011.

Which is larger, Orbex or PLD Space?

PLD Space reports the larger workforce, with 335 employees versus 178.

Which has more launches, Orbex or PLD Space?

PLD Space leads with 3 tracked launches (33% success rate).

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