Once again, we’re back with our annual power ranking of US launch companies. 2024 was the third year Ars compiled a list of the most accomplished rocket companies in the United States with the goal of sparking debate, discussion, and appreciation for the challenge of operating a successful launch company.
This is a difficult business, both technically and financially. We salute all the engineers, technicians, and business development people out there giving this industry a go.
Please note that this is a subjective list, although hard metrics such as total launches, tonnage to orbit, success rate, and more were all important factors in our decisions. And our focus remains on what each company accomplished in 2024, not on what they might do in the future.
1. SpaceX (no change from last year)
There can be no doubt about the number one slot for 2024.
SpaceX flew nearly as many Falcon rockets as times NASA flew the Space Shuttle over the course of three decades. In addition to flying 134 Falcon 9 and Falcon Heavy missions in 2024, SpaceX also launched its massive experimental Starship rocket four times, even catching the first stage on one of those occasions.
SpaceX has become much more than a launch company in the last five years, both in terms of human spaceflight with the Dragon spacecraft and broadband connectivity and its Starlink Internet constellation. This summer, Dragon was called upon to fly Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams back from the International Space Station after NASA was uncertain of the Starliner spacecraft’s safety. With Starlink, SpaceX operates a profitable network composed of more satellites than the rest of the world operates combined.
2. United Launch Alliance (+1)
ULA returns to the second spot for 2024 after finally delivering its new Vulcan rocket to orbit in January. In addition to two Vulcan launches, the company also flew its final Delta IV Heavy rocket in April and flew two Atlas V missions. The launches were successful, although the second Vulcan launch in October required an investigation after a solid rocket motor nozzle broke apart during flight.
