SPACE INDEX COMPANIES INSIGHTS SECTORS PRODUCTS NEWS BLOG ANSWERS RESEARCH ABOUT FOR COMPANIES BUILD / 2026.06.04
AST SpaceMobile logo AST SpaceMobile Operates a space-based cellular broadband network delivering 4G and 5G connectivity directly to standard smartphones via LEO satellites vs Planet Labs PBC Planet Labs PBC logo
HEAD-TO-HEAD1 shared sector
AST SpaceMobile Planet Labs PBC
Founded 2017 2010
Headquarters Midland, Texas San Francisco, California
Type public public
Status operating operating
Employees 613 741
Total funding
Latest round
Sectors Satellite Communications, Ground Segment & Networks, Satellite Manufacturing Earth Observation & Remote Sensing, Geospatial Intelligence & Analytics, Satellite Manufacturing
Products listed 5 11
Federal contracts 3 ($20.7M)
Launches
Leaders listed Abel Avellan, Scott Wisniewski, Andrew Johnson Will Marshall, Robbie Schingler, Ashley Fieglein Johnson
News mentions 1 1
SHARED SECTORS
FREQUENTLY ASKED

How do AST SpaceMobile and Planet Labs PBC compare?

Both companies work in Satellite Manufacturing. AST SpaceMobile was founded in 2017 and Planet Labs PBC in 2010.

Which is larger, AST SpaceMobile or Planet Labs PBC?

Planet Labs PBC reports the larger workforce, with 741 employees versus 613.

Which has more US federal contracts, AST SpaceMobile or Planet Labs PBC?

Planet Labs PBC has been awarded more, with $20.7M across 3 awards.

Numbers refresh on every render against the live Space Index database. Federal contract data from USAspending.gov; launches from LaunchLibrary2.