SPACE INDEX COMPANIES INSIGHTS SECTORS PRODUCTS NEWS BLOG ANSWERS RESEARCH ABOUT FOR COMPANIES BUILD / 2026.06.03
Rocket Lab USA logo Rocket Lab USA vs Southern Launch Operates two spaceports in South Australia providing orbital launch, suborbital testing, orbital re-entry, and range services for domestic and international customers Southern Launch logo
HEAD-TO-HEAD1 shared sector
Rocket Lab USA Southern Launch
Founded 2006 2017
Headquarters Long Beach, California, USA Adelaide, South Australia
Type public private
Status operating operating
Employees 1,627 30
Total funding $12M
Latest round Venture
Sectors Launch Services, Satellite Components & Subsystems, Satellite Manufacturing Spaceports & Range Services, Launch Services, Suborbital & High-Altitude
Products listed 16 8
Federal contracts 1 ($7.0M)
Launches 130 (65%)
Leaders listed Sir Peter Beck, Adam Spice, Frank Klein Lloyd Damp, Rebecca Darcey, Tori Murray
News mentions 0 6
SHARED SECTORS
FREQUENTLY ASKED

How do Rocket Lab USA and Southern Launch compare?

Both companies work in Launch Services. Rocket Lab USA was founded in 2006 and Southern Launch in 2017.

Which is larger, Rocket Lab USA or Southern Launch?

Rocket Lab USA reports the larger workforce, with 1,627 employees versus 30.

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

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

Which has more launches, Rocket Lab USA or Southern Launch?

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.