Space Industry
For most of the space age, orbital launch was carried out by national space agencies. Since roughly 2010, a set of privately funded companies has taken on an increasing share of world launch cadence, satellite production, and — since 2020 — crew transport to the International Space Station. Six of them are profiled here.
SpaceX
Landed the first orbital-class booster in 2015. Publicly listed on Nasdaq in June 2026.
Blue Origin
Gradatim Ferociter — step by step. New Shepard (suborbital) since 2015, New Glenn (orbital) since January 2025.
United Launch Alliance
Primary US national-security launch provider since 2006. Acquired 2024 by Cerberus and Blue Origin. Vulcan Centaur active.
Rocket Lab
Electron is the second-most-flown US launcher since 2018 — 77+ flights by early 2026. Neutron reusable medium-lift in test.
Firefly Aerospace
First commercial company to complete a soft lunar landing (Blue Ghost Mission 1, 2025). Alpha launcher; Eclipse MLV in development.
Axiom Space
Three private missions to the ISS since 2022. Station modules being attached to the ISS now; free-flying after ISS retirement (2030–31).