The Launch Company

Anchored in Alaska, The Launch Company operates as a specialized engineering and manufacturing firm dedicated to accelerating access to space for the 'New Space' industry. The company was founded in 2019 by Ben Kellie, an aerospace engineer with a notable background at SpaceX. Kellie's experience, which included leading field development for the autonomous rocket-landing barges and serving as lead engineer for the Vandenberg SLC-4E launch site, directly shaped the company's mission. He identified a critical market need for standardized launch processes and hardware, envisioning a future where launch operations function with the efficiency of airport takeoffs.

The Launch Company's business model centers on providing a mix of engineering services, launch support, and the manufacturing of specialized hardware. It serves a client base of commercial space companies, including names like Virgin Orbit, Relativity Space, and Firefly Space, as well as government entities such as the Department of Defense and the U.S. Air Force. Revenue is generated through consulting fees for engineering and launch site design, and through the sale of its hardware products. A key focus is on creating standardized ground support equipment, quick disconnects for rockets and satellites, and mobile fueling units to streamline pre-launch preparations. This approach mitigates the need for each client to develop bespoke systems, thereby reducing costs and development time.

A significant milestone in the company's history was its acquisition by Voyager Space in April 2021. This strategic move was designed to provide The Launch Company with the resources to scale its operations and accelerate its long-term vision without the typical administrative burdens of a growing business. Under the Voyager Space umbrella, the company continues its mission to develop the world's first multi-user, mobile launch site capable of servicing a wide variety of launch vehicles from land, air, or sea. This initiative represents the core of their strategy to create the “Third Wave of Space,” aiming to make space access more affordable and reliable for the burgeoning number of rocket companies worldwide.

Keywords: space launch services, aerospace engineering, launch support, ground support equipment, rocket hardware, NewSpace industry, launch site design, mobile launch site, standardized space hardware, satellite quick disconnects, Ben Kellie, Voyager Space, rocket launch systems, aerospace manufacturing, launch vehicle systems, on-orbit refueling hardware, commercial space flight, Alaska aerospace, space logistics, rocket recovery, launch automation, ground systems integration, aerospace consulting, flight hardware