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Launcher

California startup founded in 2017 that built the Orbiter space tug and the E-2 rocket engine. Space station company Vast bought it in 2023, and the Launcher name now covers selling the E-2 engine to rocket makers.

Products, by altitude

Earth to Moon · 35,786–384,400 km

  • Retired

    Orbiter

    Space tug that carries small satellites to their own orbits

Launch · From the pad to orbit

  • In development

    E-2

    Kerosene rocket engine sold to small rocket makers

Milestones

  • Feb 2023 Vast acquired Launcher, kept the Orbiter tug and E-2 engine programs, and dropped Launcher's own small rocket. Founder Max Haot became Vast's president. Company statement⁠1

Sources

  1. Vast press releaseFeb 21, 2023

Updated Oct 22, 2026 · How we source facts · Suggest a correction