SPACE INDEX COMPANIES INSIGHTS SECTORS PRODUCTS NEWS BLOG ANSWERS RESEARCH ABOUT FOR COMPANIES BUILD / 2026.06.04
Rocket Lab USA logo Rocket Lab USA vs SpaceX SpaceX logo
HEAD-TO-HEAD2 shared sectors
Rocket Lab USA SpaceX
Founded 2006 2002
Headquarters Long Beach, California Hawthorne, California
Type public private
Status operating operating
Employees 1,627 10,493
Total funding $1.3B
Latest round Secondary
Sectors Launch Services, Satellite Components & Subsystems, Satellite Manufacturing Launch Services, Satellite Communications, Satellite Manufacturing
Products listed 16 9
Federal contracts 1 ($7.0M) 20 ($4.90B)
Launches 130 (65%) 810 (83%)
Leaders listed Sir Peter Beck, Adam Spice, Frank Klein Elon Musk, Gwynne Shotwell, Bret Johnsen
News mentions 0 28
SHARED SECTORS
FREQUENTLY ASKED

How do Rocket Lab USA and SpaceX compare?

Both companies work in Launch Services, Satellite Manufacturing. Rocket Lab USA was founded in 2006 and SpaceX in 2002.

Which is larger, Rocket Lab USA or SpaceX?

SpaceX reports the larger workforce, with 10,493 employees versus 1,627.

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

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

Which has more launches, Rocket Lab USA 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.