Space missions have been among the key priorities of the United States. On top of its own space research and development efforts, the federal government works with several contractors to conduct further exploration and advancements in space technologies. Discover the pioneering companies that aid in the space missions priorities of the federal government.
Which agency handles the space mission priorities of the federal government?
At the height of the space race in the 20th century, the United States federal government founded the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) in 1958 to supervise and manage all civil space programs and aerospace research initiatives. The agency’s initial mandate was to explore space in hopes of populating other planets with humans.
Over half a century after its establishment, NASA upholds its mission to pioneer space exploration projects, including Project Mercury, Project Gemini, Apollo Moon Landing, and more. It’s one of the five global space agencies to contribute to microgravity and space research of the International Space Station, covering the fields of physics, meteorology, astrobiology, and astronomy.
Companies Pioneering Space Missions of the Government
Note: The following list of space and mission companies is ranked in no particular order. The selection criteria are based on a variety of factors, including market capitalization, revenue, and overall industry impact. That said, while they are highly regarded in the industry, plenty of other companies also offer exceptional products and services.
Boeing Defense, Space, and Security
Logo of the Boeing company by Boeing from Wikimedia, licensed under Public Domain
- Revenue: $23.2 billion
- CEO: Theodore Colbert III
- Established: 2002
- Headquarters: Arlington, Virginia
Formerly known as Boeing Integrated Defense Systems, Boeing Defense, Space, and Security (BDS) has a demonstrated history in space missions dating back to 1938. Generating the majority of its sales coming from federal contracting activities, the division secures its position as a prime government contractor for defense and aerospace.
As part of the global aircraft manufacturing giant The Boeing Company, BDS boasts a broad scope of capabilities for the development, production, maintenance, and enhancement of aircraft, weapons, satellites, and space vehicles. These products and services have been pivotal to NASA’s flagship missions to Mars or Saturn’s moon, Titan.
SpaceX
SpaceX logo black by SpaceX from Wikimedia, licensed under Public Domain
- Revenue: $979.9 million
- CEO: Elon Musk
- Established: 2002
- Headquarters: Hawthorne, California
SpaceX is a leading designer and manufacturer of advanced rockets and spacecraft. While the company is best known for its mission to colonize Mars, SpaceX also focuses on finding multi-planetary life, building space infrastructure and technologies, and revolutionizing space transportation methods.
SpaceX has made over a hundred launches through its $12 billion worth of contract revenues, propelling its position as one of the contemporary leaders in the space market. The company has comprehensive plans to achieve breakthroughs in space travel through various funding and expansion projects across the globe.
Collins Aerospace
Logo from Collins Aerospace
- Revenue: $20.6 billion
- CEO: Kelly Ortberg
- Established: 2018
- Headquarters: Charlotte, North Carolina
Collins Aerospace is the space-focused subsidiary of Raytheon Technologies (RTX) responsible for supplying a range of defense products to the federal and commercial sectors. Dedicated to redefining aerospace for over a century, the company has worked toward the ownership of more than 28,000 patents and is still growing.
Taking advantage of its parent company’s worldwide operations, Collins Aerospace taps into the global market for aerospace by having a significant presence in over 300 sites across 46 countries. Moreover, the company has expanded its portfolio from primarily the military market to commercial, aftermarket, and original equipment manufacturer markets.
Blue Origin
Logo from Blue Origin
- Revenue: $275.9 million
- CEO: Bob Smith
- Established: 2000
- Headquarters: Kent, Washington
Another company that commits to providing affordable spaceflight access to suborbital space for science experiments, technology development, tourism projects, and academic research is Blue Origin. This company was founded by Jeff Bezos, the founder of e-commerce giant Amazon, to enable a future where millions of people can live and work in space.
Securing funding from one of the premier technology companies in the world, Blue Origin has quickly expanded its space technologies while keeping costs at bay. Some of the company’s significant milestones include launching an unmanned mission using a reusable rocket in 2015 and its first crewed mission in 2021 to commemorate the first moon landing.
Lockheed Martin Space
Logo from Lockheed Martin
- Revenue: $11.5 billion
- CEO: James D. Taiclet
- Established: 1912
- Headquarters: Bethesda, Maryland
A reputable company such as Lockheed Martin Space leverages over a century of experience from its predecessors and parent companies in building a range of aircraft and aviation vehicles. As a major business division of the defense contracting giant, it plays a pivotal part in aiding the space exploration efforts of the federal government.
One of the key focus areas of Lockheed Martin Space is the design of propulsion technology. The company drives advancements in intercontinental ballistic missiles and the creation of the Titan family of rockets. To further bolster the government’s space initiatives, Lockheed Martin Space works with contractors, such as Boeing, to improve the costs of going to space.
Northrop Grumman
Logo of Northrop Grumman by Northrop Grumman from Wikimedia, licensed under Public Domain
- Revenue: $36.6 billion
- CEO: Kathy J. Warden
- Established: 1994
- Headquarters: Falls Church, Virginia
Tracing its origin to the merger of two prominent aircraft manufacturers that designed legendary fighter jets during World War II, Northrop Grumman has a long-standing history in aviation and aerospace. This boosted its position as a leading government contractor, winning some of the most important defense contracts, such as serving as the lead developer of the James Webb Space Telescope.
Northrop Grumman’s dedicated space division pledges to solve “the toughest problems in space.” The company plays a critical role in developing spaceflight technology, designing rocket boosters, and providing end-to-end space and launch systems across government and commercial customers.
Virgin Galactic
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- Revenue: $2.3 million
- CEO: Michael Colglazier
- Established: 2004
- Headquarters: Tustin, California
A part of the Virgin Group, Virgin Galactic centers its development of spaceflight products around the goal of introducing space tourism, initially in suborbital space and eventually to the edge of space. The company pioneers space mission priorities toward a future where millions of people can travel to pace at a reasonable cost.
As one of the more contemporary companies in the industry, Virgin Galactic establishes partnerships with different aerospace companies with a demonstrated history of building a wide range of spacecraft. By teaming up with Northrop Grumman, NASA, and other organizations, the company was able to launch manned missions aboard Virgin Galactic‘s spaceship in 2021.
United Launch Alliance
Logo from United Launch Alliance
- CEO: Tony Bruno
- Established: 2005
- Headquarters: Centennial, Colorado
Formed through a joint venture between two industry giants, Lockheed Martin Space and Boeing Defense, Space, and Security, United Launch Alliance (ULA) has a combined years of proven expertise in space. The company records a 100% mission success rate in its more than 145 consecutive launches for the government and commercial sectors.
The collaboration for the founding of ULA was initially finalized to rival SpaceX. Thanks to the span of capabilities offered by the company, it was able to diversify and win over $100 billion worth of contracts from the federal government from 2009 to 2020. ULA continues to serve as one of the prime contractors of spacecraft launch services of the United States government.
Sierra Space Corporation
Logo from Sierra Nevada Corporation
- Revenue: $400 million
- CEO: Tom Vice
- Established: 2021
- Headquarters: Louisville, Colorado
While Sierra Space was established only in 2021, it has a long-standing history as a part of the Sierra Nevada Corporation, a leading provider of microsatellites and orbital transportation services for the military, NASA, and private markets. The subsidiary leverages its parent company’s trusted experience to initiate government contracting activities in the space industry.
Sierra Space pioneers the advancement of next-generation space transportation, such as the Dream Chaser, the only winged commercial spaceplane, and Large Integrated Flexible Environment Habitat, a modular, three-story habitation platform. The company anchors on these flagship developments to expand its capabilities and enhance life on Earth and in space.
General Dynamics
Logo from General Dynamics
- Revenue: $39.4 billion
- CEO: Phebe Novakovic
- Established: 1952
- Headquarters: Reston, Virginia
General Dynamics offers one of the widest ranges of products of services among the leading government defense contractors for the federal government. Several of the company’s divisions supply the aerospace needs of the government—from small mission systems instruments, such as satellite GPS trackers, to big large spacecraft with industry-leading features.
Over the years, the federal government has tapped into the specialties of General Dynamics, including its launch missions to Mercury using the company’s Atlas family of rockets. More recently, General Dynamics has been helping NASA to communicate with the Perseverance rover on Mars.
