SPACE INDEX COMPANIES INSIGHTS SECTORS PRODUCTS NEWS BLOG ANSWERS RESEARCH ABOUT FOR COMPANIES BUILD / 2026.06.03
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 SpaceX SpaceX logo
HEAD-TO-HEAD1 shared sector
Orbex SpaceX
Founded 2015 2002
Headquarters Forres, Scotland, United Kingdom Hawthorne, California, USA
Type private private
Status closed operating
Employees 178 10,493
Total funding $163.1M $1.3B
Latest round Series D Secondary Market
Sectors Launch Services, Spaceports & Range Services Launch Services, Satellite Communications, Satellite Manufacturing
Products listed 3 9
Federal contracts 20 ($4.90B)
Launches 1 (0%) 810 (83%)
Leaders listed Phil Chambers, Andy Bradford, Charles Platts Elon Musk, Gwynne Shotwell, Bret Johnsen
News mentions 0 28
SHARED SECTORS
FREQUENTLY ASKED

How do Orbex and SpaceX compare?

Both companies work in Launch Services. Orbex was founded in 2015 and SpaceX in 2002.

Which is larger, Orbex or SpaceX?

SpaceX reports the larger workforce, with 10,493 employees versus 178.

Which has more US federal contracts, Orbex or SpaceX?

SpaceX has been awarded more, with $4.90B across 20 awards.

Which has more launches, Orbex or SpaceX?

SpaceX leads with 810 tracked launches (83% success rate).

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