UP Aerospace
UP Aerospace is a privately held U.S. sub-orbital and hypersonic launch services provider operating the SpaceLoft RLV and the newly operational Spyder rocket from Spaceport America, serving NASA, DoD, Los Alamos National Laboratory, and aerospace primes through fixed-price and IDIQ contracts.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1998
- HeadquartersHighlands Ranch, United States
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What UP Aerospace does
UP Aerospace is a privately held U.S. space launch services provider founded in 1998 by Jerry Larson and incorporated in 2004, headquartered in Denver, Colorado with launch operations centered at Spaceport America, New Mexico. The company operates in the sub-orbital and (newly) hypersonic small-launch niche, offering two core vehicles: the SpaceLoft reusable launch vehicle (RLV), which delivers payloads up to ~120 km altitude with 3-5 minutes of micro-gravity time, and the Spyder sub-orbital rocket, which became operational in 2025 with hypersonic capability exceeding Mach 10 and reach to 400 km altitude. The company designs and manufactures in-house all avionics, separation systems, recovery hardware, and solid rocket motors, holding a patented SRM manufacturing method and a proprietary Automated Payload Deployment System (APDS) used across multiple missions.
Commercial activity is centered on B2G/B2B fixed-price launch contracts executed through competitive federal procurement. The customer base is dominated by NASA (14+ sub-orbital launches since 2007 via the Flight Opportunities Program, anchored by a 2018 five-year IDIQ), the DoD ORS office, and Los Alamos National Laboratory, supplemented by enterprise aerospace primes (Lockheed Martin on the RBS Pathfinder Program; Northrop Grumman), allied space agencies (ESA, ASI), and niche commercial users (Celestis memorial flights, educational institutions via Space Grant consortia). Recovery operations rely on White Sands Missile Range, and the company co-owns/operates the Space Propulsion Center solid-rocket-motor facility at Spaceport America alongside Cesaroni Aerospace.
Revenue mechanics rely on per-mission fixed-price launch services and task orders under IDIQ contracts, with payload integration and hypersonic test missions extending the addressable surface. The firm is privately held by founder Jerry Larson with no disclosed institutional capital, operates with 1-10 employees, and runs no consumer-facing channel beyond a corporate website and social media presence. Strategic emphasis is on qualifying the Spyder hypersonic program, expanding the deployment-mission cadence, and leveraging IDIQ contractual relationships to convert flight heritage into recurring government task orders.
UP Aerospace firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- UP Aerospace
- Legal name
- UP Aerospace Inc.
- Website
- https://upaerospace.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1998
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- UP Aerospace is a privately held U.S. sub-orbital and hypersonic launch services provider operating the SpaceLoft RLV and the newly operational Spyder rocket from Spaceport America, serving NASA, DoD, Los Alamos National Laboratory, and aerospace primes through fixed-price and IDIQ contracts.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
UP Aerospace industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Space Launch Services
- NAICS
- Guided Missile and Space Vehicle Manufacturing (336414)
- SIC
- Guided Missiles & Space Vehicles & Parts (3760)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Launch Vehicles & Orbital Rockets (IMABACAA)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Spacecraft Integration, Assembly & Test (IAT) (IMABACAK), Spacecraft Avionics, Flight Computers & Software (IMABACAI)
Keywords
Where UP Aerospace is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Highlands Ranch
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices3 records
Markets served
UP Aerospace business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Operations, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Personnel, Supply Chain
Revenue model
- Sub-orbital Launch Services: UP Aerospace provides sub-orbital space launch and flight test services to government agencies (NASA, DoD) and private customers. Revenue is generated through fixed-price launch contracts and IDIQ contract task orders. Each mission is priced individually based on payload requirements, altitude, and mission complexity.
- Payload Integration Services: The company provides comprehensive payload integration services including power options, command functions, and environmental testing to meet specific payload mission requirements. Revenue generated as part of launch service contracts or as standalone services.
- Hypersonic Mission Services: With the Spyder rocket achieving operational status in 2025, UP Aerospace generates revenue from hypersonic testing missions reaching Mach 10 speeds for research institutions and government agencies.
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels7 records
UP Aerospace product offering
Product offeringCore offering
UP Aerospace provides sub-orbital space launch and flight test services using its proprietary SpaceLoft reusable launch vehicle and Spyder hypersonic rocket. The company delivers end-to-end mission support including payload integration, launch campaigns, in-flight monitoring, and on-land payload recovery, primarily for U.S. government agencies (NASA, DoD), national laboratories, and aerospace prime contractors.
Product overview
UP Aerospace is a space launch and flight test service provider offering two primary launch vehicle products: the operational SpaceLoft sub-orbital launch vehicle and the Spyder sub-orbital/hypersonic rocket under development. The SpaceLoft provides low-cost, reliable sub-orbital access with reusable flight hardware and micro-gravity times of 3-5 minutes, while the Spyder targets higher altitudes up to 400 km and hypersonic speeds exceeding Mach 10. These vehicles are complemented by proprietary systems like the Automated Payload Deployment System (APDS) for payload separation, and the Space Propulsion Center for solid rocket motor manufacturing and testing. All launch operations are conducted from Spaceport America in New Mexico, with engineering and manufacturing headquartered in Denver, Colorado.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- SpaceLoft Launch Vehicle Sub-orbital reusable launch vehicle (RLV) with demonstrated micro-gravity times exceeding 3 minutes for standard missions carrying 36 kg to 120 km altitude, and up to 5 minutes of micro-gravity time for smaller payloads. Designed for flight hardware reusability and on-land recovery. Used by NASA, DoD, and research customers for technology testing and payload deployment.
- Spyder Hypersonic Rocket 17.25 inch diameter single-stage sounding rocket capable of reaching altitudes of 400 km and speeds in excess of Mach 10. Available in 2- and 3-stage variants for higher altitudes, longer micro-gravity times, and greater ascent Mach numbers. Designed for hypersonic mission services for government and research customers.
- Launch Operations Services
Quantifiable outcome
- 5th separation and deployment mission successfully completed November 2025
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use UP Aerospace
Customer profileNamed customers9 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
UP Aerospace technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature7 records
UP Aerospace partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.
- Redwire SpacecoreRedwire Space collaborated with Los Alamos National Laboratory and NASA Ames Research Center to develop the new deployable heat shield system payload carried on SpaceLoft-18 mission.
- Cesaroni AerospacecoreEight-year collaboration between UP Aerospace and Cesaroni Aerospace resulted in the successful development and maiden flight of the Spyder hypersonic rocket. Cesaroni Aerospace provided propulsion technology and the companies jointly developed and test fired solid rocket motors at Spaceport America facilities.
- Spaceport AmericacoreStrategic partnership for launch operations at Spaceport America, New Mexico. UP Aerospace has operated from Spaceport America since 2006 and jointly created the Space Propulsion Center (SPC) for solid rocket motor manufacturing and testing. Spaceport America provides ideal flight weather and superior launch opportunities with restricted airspace adjacent to White Sands Missile Range.
- Lockheed MartinmajorLockheed Martin selected UP Aerospace as subcontractor for the Air Force Reusable Booster System (RBS) Pathfinder Program. UP Aerospace supported ground operations and flight testing at Spaceport America. First phase was a 9-month requirements development contract with follow-on phase spanning 4 years.
- NASA Marshall Space Flight CentercoreNASA MSFC collaborated with UP Aerospace on the Spyder hypersonic rocket development and NASA's Flight Opportunities Program. MSFC provided technical oversight and flight opportunities for technology testing.
- NASA Ames Research CentercoreNASA Ames collaborated on the Spyder program and payload development including the deployable heat shield system with Los Alamos National Laboratory and Redwire Space on SL-18 mission.
- White Sands Missile RangecoreCritical operational partnership for payload recovery after landing. WSMR provides restricted airspace and landing zone for all UP Aerospace sub-orbital missions from Spaceport America.
- Schafer CorporationminorTeamed with Schafer Corporation to provide comprehensive launch and payload integration services for NASA missions under the 2011 IDIQ contract.
Scale indicators12 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
UP Aerospace competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- Rocket Lab: Rocket Lab operates the Electron and Neutron small launch vehicles serving government and commercial customers with similar B2G/B2B procurement profile, though focused on orbital missions. It is a comparable small-lift launch provider competing for overlapping NASA/DoD small-launch task orders.
- Lockheed Martin Space: Lockheed Martin selected UP Aerospace as subcontractor for the Air Force RBS Pathfinder program and is both a customer and partner. As an aerospace prime with broader sub-orbital/hypersonic interests, it is the closest large-prime comparator for UP Aerospace's customer base.
- SpaceX: SpaceX offers Falcon-class launch services used by NASA and DoD and is increasingly relevant to the broader small-launch and emerging sub-orbital/hypersonic test market. Comparable as an industry incumbent competing for the same NASA/DoD mission pool.
- Blue Origin: Blue Origin operates New Shepard for sub-orbital research and tourism flights, directly addressing the same NASA Flight Opportunities-style mission segment that UP Aerospace serves with SpaceLoft.
Others
- Cesaroni Aerospace: Cesaroni Aerospace is the propulsion partner that co-developed the Spyder solid rocket motor and SPC facility. As a propulsion supplier in the same small-launch ecosystem, it is comparable to UP Aerospace's propulsion operations and a direct adjacency in launch technology.
- Aerojet Rocketdyne (now L3Harris): Aerojet Rocketdyne manufactures rocket motors and propulsion subsystems for space launch. Comparable to UP Aerospace's in-house solid rocket motor manufacturing and propulsion operations as an industry supplier.
Direct peers
- Northrop Grumman (Orbital Sciences / Minotaur): Northrop Grumman's Orbital Sciences unit manufactures Minotaur sounding rockets and provides small launch services for DoD/NASA customers, directly competing for sub-orbital and small payload missions that overlap with UP Aerospace's SpaceLoft and Spyder offerings.
- Masten Space Systems: Masten Space Systems is a small launch and lunar lander developer focused on sub-orbital and hypersonic testing, with similar size, government-customer mix and reusable flight test heritage to UP Aerospace.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks7 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
UP Aerospace social profiles
Digital presenceUP Aerospace financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
UP Aerospace leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles1 record
UP Aerospace funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
UP Aerospace M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about UP Aerospace
What does UP Aerospace do?
UP Aerospace provides sub-orbital space launch and flight test services using its proprietary SpaceLoft reusable launch vehicle and Spyder hypersonic rocket. The company delivers end-to-end mission support including payload integration, launch campaigns, in-flight monitoring, and on-land payload recovery, primarily for U.S. government agencies (NASA, DoD), national laboratories, and aerospace prime contractors.
Is UP Aerospace a public or private company?
UP Aerospace is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was UP Aerospace founded?
UP Aerospace was founded in 1998. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is UP Aerospace based?
UP Aerospace is headquartered in Highlands Ranch, United States, in the North America region.
How does UP Aerospace make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Sub-orbital Launch Services are the primary driver. The others are payload Integration Services and hypersonic Mission Services.
Who are UP Aerospace's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are Rocket Lab, Lockheed Martin Space, SpaceX and Blue Origin. Others are Cesaroni Aerospace and Aerojet Rocketdyne (now L3Harris). Direct peers are Northrop Grumman (Orbital Sciences / Minotaur) and Masten Space Systems.
Does UP Aerospace have an API?
No public API is recorded for UP Aerospace.
What industry is UP Aerospace in?
UP Aerospace's product category is Space Launch Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is IMABACAA, Launch Vehicles & Orbital Rockets, with a secondary code of IMABACAK, Spacecraft Integration, Assembly & Test (IAT). Its NAICS code is 336414 and its SIC code is 3760.