SPACE INDEX COMPANIES INSIGHTS SECTORS PRODUCTS NEWS BLOG ANSWERS RESEARCH ABOUT FOR COMPANIES BUILD / 2026.06.03
Southern Launch logo Southern Launch Operates two spaceports in South Australia providing orbital launch, suborbital testing, orbital re-entry, and range services for domestic and international customers vs SpaceX SpaceX logo
HEAD-TO-HEAD1 shared sector
Southern Launch SpaceX
Founded 2017 2002
Headquarters Adelaide, South Australia Hawthorne, California, USA
Type private private
Status operating operating
Employees 30 10,493
Total funding $12M $1.3B
Latest round Venture Secondary Market
Sectors Spaceports & Range Services, Launch Services, Suborbital & High-Altitude Launch Services, Satellite Communications, Satellite Manufacturing
Products listed 8 9
Federal contracts 20 ($4.90B)
Launches 810 (83%)
Leaders listed Lloyd Damp, Rebecca Darcey, Tori Murray Elon Musk, Gwynne Shotwell, Bret Johnsen
News mentions 6 28
SHARED SECTORS
FREQUENTLY ASKED

How do Southern Launch and SpaceX compare?

Both companies work in Launch Services. Southern Launch was founded in 2017 and SpaceX in 2002.

Which is larger, Southern Launch or SpaceX?

SpaceX reports the larger workforce, with 10,493 employees versus 30.

Which has more US federal contracts, Southern Launch or SpaceX?

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

Which has more launches, Southern Launch 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.