Annual power ranking of US launch companies finds a shake-up at the bottom

And again we are back with our annual power rating startup companies in the USA. 2024 marks the third year that Ars has compiled a list of the most successful rocket companies in the United States, with the goal of sparking debate, discussion and recognition of the complexity of running a successful launch company.

This is a complex business, both technically and financially. We welcome all the engineers, technicians and business development people who help this industry.

Please note that this is a subjective list, although precise metrics such as total number of launches, tonnage per orbit, success rate, etc. were important factors in our decisions. And our focus remains on what each company has achieved in 2024, not on what they can do in the future.

1. SpaceX (no changes from last year)

There can be no doubt that this is the number one spot for 2024.

SpaceX has launched nearly as many Falcon rockets over three decades as NASA has launched the Space Shuttle. In addition to the 134 flights of the Falcon 9 and Falcon Heavy in 2024, SpaceX has also launched its huge experimental Starship rocket four times, including one that even fired the first stage.

Over the past five years, SpaceX has become more than just a startup company, both in terms of human spaceflight on the Dragon spacecraft, in terms of broadband communications, and in terms of the 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 unsure about the safety of the Starliner spacecraft. With Starlink, SpaceX operates a profitable network of more satellites than the rest of the world combined.

2. United starting alliance (+1)

ULA returns to second place in 2024 after finally delivering its new Vulcan rocket into orbit in January. In addition to the two Vulcan launches, the company also launched its latest Delta IV Heavy rocket in April and completed two Atlas V missions. The launches were successful, although a second Vulcan launch in October required an investigation after a solid rocket motor nozzle disintegrated during flight.