**The 2024 Power Rankings of US Launch Companies: A Year of Victories, Obstacles, and Surprises**
The US aerospace sector continues to progress at an incredible speed, with 2024 representing yet another year of notable achievements, challenges, and intense rivalry among launch companies. Ars Technica’s yearly power rankings offer a snapshot of the most prominent US launch firms, highlighting their successes while igniting discussions about the future of space exploration and commercialization. This year’s rankings, informed by criteria such as total launches, tonnage delivered to orbit, success ratios, and technological advancements, emphasize the vibrant nature of the aerospace industry. Let’s delve into the rankings and uncover the narratives behind the statistics.
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### **1. SpaceX (No Change)**
It’s expected that SpaceX holds onto its leading position in 2024. The company’s accomplishments this year were nothing less than remarkable, with an astounding **134 Falcon 9 and Falcon Heavy launches**—a frequency that compares to NASA’s entire Space Shuttle program over thirty years. SpaceX also executed **four launches of its Starship rocket**, reaching a pivotal achievement by successfully recovering the first stage on one occasion.
In addition to launches, SpaceX has cemented its leadership in human spaceflight and satellite broadband. The **Dragon spacecraft** was selected by NASA to safely bring astronauts back from the ISS, while the **Starlink constellation** continues to grow, showing profitability and a satellite count that eclipses the rest of the globe combined. SpaceX’s talent for innovation and large-scale execution is unrivaled.
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### **2. United Launch Alliance (ULA) (+1)**
Following years of expectation, ULA finally took to the skies with its **Vulcan rocket** in January 2024, representing a major advancement for the firm. Alongside two Vulcan missions, ULA concluded its last **Delta IV Heavy mission** and completed two **Atlas V flights**, achieving a flawless success record. Nevertheless, the second Vulcan launch encountered scrutiny due to an issue with a solid rocket motor nozzle, reflecting the difficulties associated with expansion.
Although ULA’s five launches this year do not reflect a sustainable rhythm, the company is set for expansion. CEO Tory Bruno has established ambitious targets to reach **biweekly launches by 2025**, and a **dozen launches next year** would signify a considerable improvement.
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### **3. Rocket Lab (-1)**
Rocket Lab enjoyed another successful year, establishing a new record with **16 Electron launches** and maintaining an impeccable success rate. The company’s small satellite launcher remains a dependable asset, illustrating the demand for specific small-payload missions.
However, Rocket Lab’s future is contingent on the development of its **Neutron rocket**, a medium-lift vehicle aimed at competing with SpaceX. While the company aims for a 2025 introduction for Neutron, this schedule remains ambitious. Rocket Lab’s ability to fulfill this promise will be a pivotal storyline in the years ahead.
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### **4. Blue Origin (+2)**
For the first time, Blue Origin has made it into the top five, propelled by a year of renewed vitality. The company’s **New Shepard spacecraft** resumed flights with three human missions and one cargo mission, featuring a historic journey with Ed Dwight, the first Black astronaut candidate.
More crucially, Blue Origin has made substantial strides regarding its **New Glenn rocket**, delivering the vehicle to the launch pad and advancing the manufacturing of additional units. Under new CEO Dave Limp, the firm appears to be functioning with heightened urgency, setting the groundwork for a potential breakthrough in 2025.
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### **5. Firefly Aerospace (-1)**
Firefly Aerospace continues to showcase resilience and ingenuity. Its **Alpha rocket** successfully lifted a NASA payload in July, reinforcing its status as a leader in the 1-ton payload domain. However, with only one launch during 2024, the company has yet to establish an operational rhythm.
Firefly’s propulsion division presents a promising growth opportunity. The firm is developing the **Miranda engine** for Northrop Grumman’s forthcoming **Antares 300 rocket**, in addition to a medium-lift vehicle. If Firefly can enhance its operations, it has the potential to ascend in future rankings.
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### **6. Northrop Grumman (-1)**
Northrop Grumman had a subdued year, conducting just one suborbital **Minotaur I launch** and two Cygnus spacecraft missions to the ISS—both undertaken via SpaceX’s Falcon 9. The company is in the process of replacing its retired **Antares 230+ rocket** with a new variant powered by Firefly’s engines, aiming for a mid-2025 debut. While Northrop remains a significant player in the aerospace field, its dependence on external partners highlights the challenges of maintaining an independent launch capability.
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### **7. Stoke Space (+2)**
Stoke Space is emerging as a bright new contender in the US launch landscape.
