NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory
NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory is a federally funded research and development center operated by Caltech under contract with NASA, focused on robotic space exploration. It designs and builds spacecraft and exploration technologies in Pasadena, California, serving NASA as its sole funder.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded-
- HeadquartersPasadena, United States
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory does
NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) is a federally funded research and development center (FFRDC) operated by the California Institute of Technology (Caltech) under contract with NASA. Headquartered in Pasadena, California, on a campus that includes mission control, a public museum, and the Mars yard testing grounds, JPL is described in the source as "the leading center for robotic space exploration." Its work focuses on building innovative spacecraft, instruments, and exploration technologies to advance understanding of the universe, serving NASA as its primary and effectively sole customer.
JPL's core activities span engineering, science, computer science, and new technology development, supported by business functions such as administration, communications, human resources, and finance. The laboratory employs scientists, engineers, technologists, and mission support professionals, recruiting through internships, research programs for students and postdocs, and the Project Discovery returnship program (a partnership with the Society for Women Engineers and iRelaunch). It also maintains a multi-channel presence on LinkedIn, Instagram, Twitter/X, and Facebook under @NASAJPLCareers, and participates in career fairs, conferences, and virtual tours to engage talent globally.
JPL's business model is government-funded: NASA provides the primary funding, and Caltech provides institutional management under the unique public-private FFRDC arrangement. It has no external commercial customers, no stock symbol, and no disclosed pricing model because it does not sell products or services to third parties. Its deliverables are scientific, technological, and mission outputs for NASA, with the broader public reached through educational and outreach channels rather than commercial transactions.
NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory
- Legal name
- Jet Propulsion Laboratory
- Website
- https://jpl.jobs
- Company type
- Private
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory is a federally funded research and development center operated by Caltech under contract with NASA, focused on robotic space exploration. It designs and builds spacecraft and exploration technologies in Pasadena, California, serving NASA as its sole funder.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Space Research and Development
- NAICS
- Guided Missile and Space Vehicle Manufacturing (336414), Space Research and Technology (92711), Scientific Research and Development Services (5417)
- SIC
- Guided Missiles & Space Vehicles & Parts (3760), Search, Detection, Navagation, Guidance, Aeronautical Sys (3812)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Spacecraft & Satellites (Civil/Commercial) (IMABACAB)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Space Payloads & Instruments (Sensors, Comms, EO/IR) (IMABACAD), Space-Based Defense Systems (SSA, Missile Warning, Protected SATCOM) (IMABAOAH)
Keywords
Where NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Pasadena
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations, Infrastructure, Others
Revenue model
- NASA Government Funding: JPL is a research and development center funded by NASA. As a unique collaboration between NASA and Caltech, JPL operates as a government-funded research laboratory.
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels1 record
Marketing channels5 records
NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory product offering
Product offeringCore offering
JPL is a federally funded research and development center that designs, builds, and operates robotic spacecraft and supporting mission systems for NASA, including mission control operations and Mars yard testing. It conducts planetary and Earth science research and develops new technologies across engineering, computer science, and instrumentation to advance robotic space exploration.
Product overview
NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) is a research and development center funded by NASA in collaboration with Caltech. It is not a commercial product company but rather a center for robotic space exploration, building innovative space exploration technologies. The source content focuses on JPL as an employer rather than describing specific commercial products or services for external customers. The careers page outlines areas of expertise in engineering, science, computer science, new technology development, and business functions, along with workforce programs like internships, research programs, and Project Discovery returnship.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Companies that use NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory
Customer profileSegments1 record
Ideal customer profiles1 record
NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Four partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- NASAcoreJPL is a unique collaboration with NASA as a research and development center funded by NASA to build innovative space exploration technologies. NASA is the primary funding source and partner.
- Caltech (California Institute of Technology)coreJPL is a unique collaboration between NASA and Caltech. Caltech operates JPL under contract with NASA, making it a distinctive public-private partnership in space exploration.
- Society for Women Engineers (SWE)minorPartnership through Project Discovery, a returnship program focusing on bringing professionals back to the workforce after an extended absence. Joint initiative with iRelaunch.
- iRelaunchminorPartnership through Project Discovery, a returnship program focusing on bringing professionals back to the workforce after an extended absence. Joint initiative with Society for Women Engineers.
Scale indicators1 record
Recent moves5 records
Expansion highlights5 records
NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- NASA Goddard Space Flight Center: Another NASA center and FFRDC that designs and operates science missions and spacecraft. Direct structural peer within the same NASA funding umbrella, with overlapping scope in Earth science and astrophysics missions.
- NASA Ames Research Center: NASA center focused on aeronautics, supercomputing, and small spacecraft missions. Operates under the same NASA FFRDC model and competes for similar mission work in robotics and exploration technology.
- Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory (APL): FFRDC that builds and operates spacecraft for NASA and DoD, including planetary missions. Closest external analog to JPL in mission scope, FFRDC structure, and government-funded R&D model.
Broad incumbents
- Lockheed Martin Space: Major prime contractor building spacecraft and exploration systems for NASA. Frequently partners with JPL as an integrator while competing for adjacent mission contracts.
- Ball Aerospace (BALL): Builds spacecraft, instruments, and sensors for NASA science missions. Closely comparable in delivering instruments and hardware against the same agency customers.
- Boeing Defense, Space & Security: Prime contractor in human spaceflight and exploration systems. Partners with NASA and competes for mission contracts that JPL would otherwise influence.
- Northrop Grumman Space Systems: Prime contractor in space science and exploration, involved in flagship missions and propulsion. Comparable as a NASA mission partner and competitor for spacecraft prime contracts.
Emerging players
- Blue Origin: Commercial space company developing lunar landers and other exploration systems under NASA contracts. Competitor for mission scope and engineering talent.
- SpaceX: Commercial space company increasingly serving NASA mission needs. Represents a structural shift in the supply of space capabilities that competes with JPL's traditional role.
Others
- Aerojet Rocketdyne (L3Harris): Propulsion provider for NASA robotic and human exploration missions. Adjacent ecosystem participant supplying critical hardware to JPL-built spacecraft.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory social profiles
Digital presenceNASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles4 records
NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
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NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
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Frequently asked questions about NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory
What does NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory do?
JPL is a federally funded research and development center that designs, builds, and operates robotic spacecraft and supporting mission systems for NASA, including mission control operations and Mars yard testing. It conducts planetary and Earth science research and develops new technologies across engineering, computer science, and instrumentation to advance robotic space exploration.
Is NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory a public or private company?
NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory is a private company. It is classified as state government owned and is currently operating.
When was NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory founded?
NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory was founded in -1. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory based?
NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory is headquartered in Pasadena, United States, in the North America region.
How does NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory make money?
One revenue line is on record: NASA Government Funding.
Who are NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, NASA Ames Research Center and Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory (APL). Broad incumbents are Lockheed Martin Space, Ball Aerospace (BALL), Boeing Defense, Space & Security and Northrop Grumman Space Systems. Emerging players are Blue Origin and SpaceX. Aerojet Rocketdyne (L3Harris) is listed as an others.
Does NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory have an API?
No public API is recorded for NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory.
What industry is NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory in?
NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory's product category is Space Research and Development. Its primary akta.pro industry code is IMABACAB, Spacecraft & Satellites (Civil/Commercial), with a secondary code of IMABACAD, Space Payloads & Instruments (Sensors, Comms, EO/IR). Its NAICS code is 336414 and its SIC code is 3760.