The international commercial aerospace field is experiencing technological disruption and market restructuring. Traditional giants and innovative companies are competing on the same stage. Low cost, high efficiency and sustainability have become the core competitive points of the industry.
Today we will learn about:
Top 10 international commercial rocket companies.
1
SpaceX (USA)
SpaceX
By Elon Musk
Founded in 2002
, is a commercial aerospace company with the core of reducing space exploration costs and promoting aerospace technology innovation. Its business includes rocket launches, Starlink projects and manned spaceflight, etc. It has subverted the traditional space model through reusable rocket technology.
Falcon 9:
Medium-sized two-stage reusable launch vehicle
, the first-level booster can be recycled and reused. The first level uses 9 Merlin 1D liquid oxygen kerosene engines, with a LEO capacity of 22.8 tons (one-time use).
2010
first flight
, was recovered on land for the first time in 2015, recovered at sea for the first time in 2016, the core stage was reused for the first time in 2017, and in 2020 it became the first commercial launch vehicle to send astronauts into orbit.
Falcon Heavy:
super heavy reusable launch vehicle
, the first stage is composed of three Falcon 9 core stages connected in parallel, with a LEO capacity of 63.8 tons (one-time use).
2018
first flight
, the boosters on both sides were successfully recovered on land, but the core stage failed to be recovered at sea; in 2019, the core stage and booster were simultaneously recovered for the first time.
Starship:
Super heavy duty
Fully reusable
delivery system
, consisting of a super-heavy booster and a starship spacecraft, both of which are reusable. The arrow body is made of stainless steel and has a payload capacity of 100-150 tons.
super heavy booster
Equipped with 33 Raptor engines
, the starship is equipped with 3 Raptor engines and 3 vacuum version Raptor engines.
April 20, 2023 Starship
first flight
explode
;2024
On June 6, the fourth test flight of the super-heavy booster and the starship completed vertical splashdown at sea; on October 13, 2024, the fifth test flight of the robotic arm successfully completed the “chopstick-clamping rocket” for the first time; on January 17, 2025, the seventh test flight, the second-generation starship tested for the first time accidentally disintegrated, and the super-heavy booster was successfully recovered; on March 7, 2025, the eighth test flight failed again.
2
ULA (USA)
ULA
（United Launch Alliance）
is made of
boeing company
and
Lockheed Martin
At
2006
The joint venture is a space launch service provider that aims to integrate the rocket businesses of the two companies.
Universe God V:
use
RD-180 liquid oxygen kerosene engine
, with various configurations, LEO capacity 8.21-18.85 tons. It first flew in 2002. So far, it has been launched a total of 101 times, and only one was partially successful. The rocket will be retired after completing its remaining 15 launch missions.
Vulcan Centaur:
Two-stage semi-heavy launch vehicle
, developed to replace the Atlas V series and Delta IV heavy rockets.
The first stage uses 2 BE-4 liquid oxygen methane engines, and the second stage uses RL-10C hydrogen and oxygen engines. The maximum LEO capacity is 27.2 tons (one-time use).
The first flight will be on January 5, 2024, and it has been launched twice so far.
3
Blue Origin (USA)
Blue Origin (
Blue Origin
）
yes
Amazon founder Jeff Bezos
2000
A commercial aerospace company founded by the company, it is committed to reducing the cost of space exploration through reusable rocket technology.
New Shepard:
Suborbital reusable liquid launch vehicle
, focusing on space tourism and microgravity experiments, single-stage design, equipped with a BE-3 liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen engine, and can carry up to 6 people.
It first flew in 2015 and launched its first manned mission in July 2021. So far, it has completed a total of 10 manned missions.
New Glen:
Reusable heavy-lift launch vehicle
, the first stage is equipped with 7 BE-4 liquid oxygen methane engines, the LEO capacity is 45 tons, and the first stage rocket adopts vertical recovery under the route.
The first flight was successful on January 16, 2025, but the first-stage rocket failed to be recovered at sea as planned.
4
Rocket Lab (USA)
Rocket Lab
It is a private aerospace company with low-cost, high-frequency small satellite launches as its core business. It was founded by Peter Baker in 2006. It is headquartered in California, USA, and has R&D and launch bases in New Zealand.
Electron rocket:
small reusable rocket
, the first stage uses 9 Rutherford liquid oxygen kerosene engines, and the second stage is equipped with 1 vacuum-optimized Rutherford engine. The LEO transport capacity is 300 kilograms. It uses electric pump circulation technology and is powered by lithium batteries for fuel delivery.
Use all arrows
carbon fiber composite
, lightweight design improves carrying efficiency.
It first flew in 2017 and has been successfully launched 60 times so far.
Neutron rocket:
medium reusable rocket
, the first level can be recycled vertically, the first level uses 9 Archimedes liquid oxygen methane engines, the second level is equipped with a vacuum version Archimedes engine, the LEO capacity is 13 tons, and the first flight is planned to be in 2025.
5
Firefly Space (USA)
Firefly Aerospace
Founded in 2014 by former SpaceX and Blue Origin engineer Thomas Markusic, it focuses on the development of small and medium-sized launch vehicles, lunar landers and spacecraft.
Alpha rocket:
Small two-stage liquid launch vehicle
, the first stage uses four Reaver liquid oxygen kerosene engines, and the second stage uses a Lightning liquid oxygen methane engine, both of which are manufactured by 3D printing.
LEO capacity
1.03 tons
. The first flight failed in 2021, but the go-around was successful in 2022 and achieved “one stone and seven stars”.
6
Relativistic Space (USA)
Relativity Space
, founded in 2015 by Tim Ellis and Jordan Noone.
Featuring full-process 3D printing, it significantly reduces the number of parts of traditional rockets.
Terran R：
Two levels of medium and heavy duty
reusable launch vehicle
, with a LEO capacity of 23.5 tons recovered under the route, the first stage uses 13 3D printed Aeon R liquid oxygen methane rocket engines, and the second stage uses an Aeon vacuum version engine. It is planned to fly for the first time in 2026.
7
Arianespace (France)
Arianespace
It is the core enterprise of European space launch services and a subsidiary of the Ariane Group. It was founded in 1980 and is headquartered in France. It provides commercial launch services relying on the Ariane series rockets.
Ariane 6 rocket:
Highly modular, it is available in two configurations: A62 with two boosters and A64 with four boosters. The LEO capacity is 10.3 tons and 21.6 tons respectively.
July 9, 2024
first flight
, successfully completed its second launch mission on March 7, 2025, and officially entered the commercial operation stage.
8
Orbex (UK)
Orbex
Founded in
2015
, focusing on the research, development and innovation of small satellite launch technology, reducing launch costs through 3D printing technology, renewable fuel and reusable design.
Prime rocket:
Small and medium
The two-stage liquid launch vehicle has a payload capacity of 180 kilograms. The first stage uses seven 3D printed engines and uses biopropane fuel. It is planned to make its first flight at the end of 2025.
9
Isar Aerospace (Germany)
Isar Aerospace
Founded in
2018
, headquartered in Munich, focuses on the development of small launch vehicles and provides launch services for small and medium-sized satellites.
Spectrum：
Small two-stage liquid rocket
, equipped with 9 Aquila engines in the first stage and one in the second stage, supporting multiple ignitions and flexible deployment of satellites, using liquid oxygen propane as propellant, and a LEO capacity of 1 ton. The first flight is expected to be in 2025.
10
Gilmour Space (Australia)
Gilmour Space
Founded in
2013
, co-founded by Adam Gilmour and James Gilmour.
Focus on the research and development of small launch vehicles and provide satellite launch services for LEO and SSO.
Eris：
three-stage small launch vehicle
It is equipped with 4 Sirius solid-liquid hybrid rocket engines on the first stage, 1 on the second stage, and 1 3D printed liquid oxygen kerosene engine Phoenix on the third stage. The LEO capacity is 305 kilograms. It will first fly on March 15, 2025 at the earliest.
1879
Collection!
Commercial aerospace industry financing projects
We will carry out “
Commercial Space Project Financing Roadshow
“Activity aims to provide a platform for display and capital docking of innovation and entrepreneurial projects in the commercial aerospace field, promote the implementation of industrial innovation, and accelerate the industrialization process of innovation results.
This solicitation is fully open to enterprises in the upstream, midstream and downstream industrial chain of commercial aerospace, covering multiple fields such as new materials and new processes, parts manufacturing, complete satellites and rockets, satellite applications and services.
This roadshow will invite domestic
well-known investment institutions,
Angel investors,
Industrial Investment Group,
local government
/
Produce
industrial park
There are over 100 professional investors.
, and submit your financing BP. We will conduct a roadshow in March 2025 and look forward to your participation.
