SPACE INDEX COMPANIES INSIGHTS SECTORS PRODUCTS NEWS BLOG ANSWERS RESEARCH ABOUT FOR COMPANIES BUILD / 2026.06.04
PLD Space logo PLD Space Develops reusable launch vehicles for dedicated and rideshare small satellite missions, with in-house liquid propulsion and vertically integrated manufacturing vs Rocket Lab USA Rocket Lab USA logo
HEAD-TO-HEAD1 shared sector
PLD Space Rocket Lab USA
Founded 2011 2006
Headquarters Elche, Spain Long Beach, California
Type private public
Status operating operating
Employees 335 1,627
Total funding $90.2M
Latest round Debt
Sectors Launch Services, Space Propulsion, Suborbital & High-Altitude Launch Services, Satellite Components & Subsystems, Satellite Manufacturing
Products listed 4 16
Federal contracts 1 ($7.0M)
Launches 3 (33%) 130 (65%)
Leaders listed Ezequiel Sanchez, Raul Torres, Raul Verdu Sir Peter Beck, Adam Spice, Frank Klein
News mentions 0 0
SHARED SECTORS
FREQUENTLY ASKED

How do PLD Space and Rocket Lab USA compare?

Both companies work in Launch Services. PLD Space was founded in 2011 and Rocket Lab USA in 2006.

Which is larger, PLD Space or Rocket Lab USA?

Rocket Lab USA reports the larger workforce, with 1,627 employees versus 335.

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

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

Which has more launches, PLD Space 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.